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Olympian Klete Keller charged with 3 crimes in U.S. District Court for involvement in Capitol riots

Liz Roscher
·Staff writer
·3-min read

Klete Keller, a champion swimmer and two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been charged with several crimes in connection to his alleged involvement in the riots at the U.S. Capitol last week.

According to the criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., Keller has been charged with:

  • Obstructing law enforcement engaged in official duties incident to civil disorder

  • Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority

  • Violent entry and disorderly conduct on capitol grounds

The FBI used Keller’s height, his Colorado driver’s license photograph, and his clearly visible Team USA jacket to positively identify him.

Video allegedly shows Keller at Capitol

Keller was allegedly part of the angry mob that invaded the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday. Swimming site SwimSwam, which first reported the news about Keller’s possible involvement, and the New York Times spoke to over a dozen people who identified Keller from a video on Twitter that was taken from inside the Capitol.

Keller is allegedly the bearded man who can be seen towering over the crowd. Several people told the New York Times that the Team USA jacket he appears to be wearing helped them identify him. The video does not show him engaging in any violent activity.

All of Keller’s social media accounts have been disabled, but it’s not clear if that happened before last week’s riots or after. SwimSwam reported that before they were disabled, his social media accounts contained numerous posts supporting Donald Trump.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Klete Keller of the United States of America after finishing second in the Men's 200m Freestyle heats during the XII FINA World Championships at the Rod Laver Arena on March 26, 2007 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Olympic swimmer Klete Keller was allegedly part of the group that invaded the Capitol last week. (Photo by Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images)

USOPC issues statement

The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee issued a statement on Wednesday in response to Keller’s alleged involvement in the Capitol riots last week.

The statement, which didn’t name Keller directly, is from USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland.

"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. ... 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."

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