Olympic gold medalist Klete Keller charged for alleged role in Capitol riots
Keller was charged with knowingly coming into or remaining in any restricted constructing or grounds with out lawful authority, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and obstructing legislation enforcement engaged in official duties incident to civil dysfunction, based on paperwork filed in US District Court in Washington, DC.
It is unclear whether or not Keller has an legal professional and whether or not he’s in custody.
CNN has been unable to contact Keller for remark.
He is greatest identified for anchoring the profitable US staff in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay on the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, in which he held off gold medalist Ian Thorpe of Australia.
The court docket paperwork additionally say analysis confirmed Keller was recognized by media retailers equivalent to SwimSwam, which covers aggressive swimming.
FBI Special Agent Matthew R. Barofsky wrote in court docket paperwork that he confirmed Keller’s identification by evaluating photographs he was in to his Colorado driver’s license.
The photographs from the Capitol additionally present Keller is sporting a US Olympic Team jacket and “appears to be one of the tallest individuals,” Barofsky writes in his assertion of information. Keller is 6 ft, 6 inches tall.
In an announcement, USA Swimming informed CNN, “We respect private individuals’ and groups’ rights to peacefully protest but in no way condone the actions taken by those at the Capitol last week.”
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee mentioned it condemned the actions of the rioters.
“We support the right to peacefully protest and express values and viewpoints in a respectful and lawful manner — that is what makes our democracy strong. Sadly, that is not what happened in this case,” the group mentioned in an announcement.
Correction: A earlier headline on this story incorrectly acknowledged Keller’s standing. He has been charged and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. CNN has not confirmed whether or not he has been arrested.
CNN’s Kevin Dotson contributed to this report.
