Grand Jury Indicts Olympian Klete Keller on 7 Charges Related to Capitol Riots

A grand jury has added 4 new charges to the original 3 in the indictment of Olympic medal-winning swimmer Klete Keller. That brings Keller to 7 charges as a result of his participation in the riots and insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 as the United States Congress was preparing to certify the election of Joe Biden as the next president of the United States.

A new indictment was released this Wednesday charging Keller with the original three charges along with an additional four. His charges now include the following:

• Civil disorder
• Obstruction of an official proceeding, and aiding and abetting
• Entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds
• Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds
• Impeding passage through the Capitol Grounds or buildings
• Parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building

As we first reported on January 11th, 2021, it has been reported that U.S. Olympic Keller was among those involved in the January 6th insurrection at the United States Capitol.

Two days later, it was announced that Klete Keller had been charged in U.S. District Court for violent entry, obstructing law enforcement, and disorderly conduct. Details of the original charges can be read here:

• Criminal complaint
• Statement of facts

According to a report from the Washington Post, if Keller’s actions are found to have resulted in serious injuries, he could face up to 30 years in prison.

Following the original charges, Keller turned himself in to federal authorities on January 14th, 2021. He was released without bail, agreeing to not return to Washington D.C. prior to the presidential inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 21. He was also required to not possess firearms and retained the ability to travel from Colorado to visit his children in North Carolina.

An impeachment trial for former U.S. president Donald Trump, who has been accused of inciting the riots that led to an invasion of the U.S. Capitol, is underway this week in D.C.

Keller raced for the United States at the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympics, winning bronze in the 400 freestyle and gold in the 4×200 in 2004.

Following the allegations of Keller’s involvement in the riots, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee released the following statement condemning the riots:

“As many of you know, there are reports of an alumni Olympic athlete involved in the horrific acts at the U.S. Capitol building last week. As we wait for law enforcement to confirm the identity of the individual and determine necessary action, and then evaluate any appropriate actions of our own, I want to share the following thoughts with our Olympic and Paralympic community.

First off, I strongly condemn the actions of the rioters at the U.S. Capitol. They do not represent the values of the United States of America or of Team USA.

At home, and around the world, Team USA athletes are held to a very high standard as they represent our country on the field of play and off. What happened in Washington, D.C., was a case where that standard was clearly not met. The people involved attacked the very fabric of the democracy we all proudly represent and, in turn, also let our community down. I urge everyone associated with Team USA to continue to celebrate our diversity of background and beliefs, stand together against hatred and divisiveness, and use our influence to create positive change in our community.”