Klete Keller arrested for involvement in riot on Capitol Hill



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Two-time Olympic gold medalist Klete Keller was arrested Thursday in Colorado, a day after being charged in connection with the riot on the U.S. Capitol.

The former USC swimmer is accused of knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building, engaging in disorderly conduct in the Capitol building and preventing law enforcement.

Keller didn’t say much during his initial appearance in Denver federal court Thursday afternoon besides answering basic questions from Judge Michael E. Hegarty.

The judge ordered Keller’s release on a personal recognizance, meaning he does not have to put in funds or property, and limited his trip to Colorado and Washington DC when his physical presence is required for them. court hearings.

Keller was identified thanks to a video taken by a reporter during the chaos in the Capitol Rotunda on January 6, standing out in the wild scene because of his distinct US Olympic team jacket and his 6-foot-6 height. inches.

“Further open-source research has revealed that media outlets such as SwimSwam, a news organization that covers competitive swimming and other related sports, have identified this individual as possibly KLETE DERIK KELLER. Your depositor confirmed this identification, ”states the complaint filed in the United States District Court in Washington.

Keller, who lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, won gold medals in the 800-meter freestyle relay at the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He also won a silver medal in the relay and two individual bronze medals.

He won three individual NCAA titles for USC in 2001 and 2002 and then returned to Los Angeles to train with the Trojan Swim Club ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

USA Swimming denounced Keller’s alleged involvement in the riot in a statement distributed to members of the organization.

“It’s very simple and very clear,” the statement said. “Sir. Keller’s actions in no way represent the values ​​or mission of USA Swimming. And while he was once a swimmer at the highest levels of our sport – representing the country and democracy, he so willingly attacked – Mr. Keller has not been a member of this organization since 2008. ”



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