Klete Keller Pleads Not Guilty to Capitol Insurrection Charges

Klete Keller; Photo Courtesy: Bill Collins / Swimming World Archive

Former U.S. swimmer Klete Keller entered a not guilty plea Tuesday to seven charges stemming from his involvement at the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

The five-time Olympic medalist issued the plea during a virtual hearing with a district court in Washington. He is due to appear in court next on April 6. Keller and his attorney, Edward MacMahon, did not make any further comments.

Keller is facing seven total charges for being one of the rioters who allegedly entered the Capitol on Jan. 6 in an attempt to delay certification of November’s presidential election voting Donald Trump out of office. Keller initially faced three charges, but he was indicted by a grand jury on four additional charges in February. Keller turned himself into police in Colorado shortly after being charged the first time.

Keller is facing charges that include civil disorder, entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a restricted building and obstructing an official proceeding. He is facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted on all charges. Five deaths were linked to the riot.

Keller was identified on video posted to social media, standing out among the hundreds who breached the Capitol with his 6-foot-6 build and U.S. Olympian jacket.

Keller, 38 and a resident of Colorado, represented the United States at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics. He won gold medals in the 800 freestyle relay in both the Athens and Beijing games and individual bronze in the 400 free in Sydney and Athens.

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