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An Olympic medalist turned rioter on Capitol Hill has been released from federal custody and ordered to stay away from the nation’s capital until next week’s inauguration.
Klete Keller, a 38-year-old swimmer who won five Olympic medals for the United States, appeared in federal court in Denver on Thursday after being arrested on federal charges related to his participation in the fatal January 6 uprising.
It is only after President-elect Biden is sworn in that the Colorado resident will be allowed to return to Washington for court appearances and legal appointments. Keller must seek court permission to visit his children in North Carolina.
The 6-foot-6 former teammate of Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte was charged on Wednesday with knowingly entering a small building to obstruct official government office, disorderly conduct and obstructing judicial officers.
At least a dozen members of the swimming community identified Keller wearing an American team jacket in a video clip from the headquarters, and screenshots of the images were included in a court document.
His alleged involvement in the riots was first reported by SwimSwam, a site that covers competitive water sports.
Keller resigned from his job as a real estate broker after his arrest, the website noted.
The swimmer struggled to adjust to post-Olympic life and lived in his car for 10 months after his divorce in 2014, according to SwimSwam.
The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee denounced Keller and the riots in a statement.
“At home and around the world, Team America’s athletes are held to a very high standard as they represent our country on and off the pitch. What happened in Washington, DC, was a case where this standard was clearly not met, ”reads part of the statement from USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland.
Nearly 100 people have been charged with violating the Capitol, and officials say a nationwide manhunt will lead to hundreds more arrests.
Keller competed in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, with two gold medals among his crop.
With AP wires
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