An Olympic swimming champion pleaded guilty to court following his involvement in the Capitol Tower to prevent US President Joe Biden from taking office.
Washington DC – In the investigation into his involvement in the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021, the American Olympic swimmer Klete Keller relies on cooperation with the authorities in order to avoid severe punishment. The swimmer has pleaded guilty to several counts because he faces two years’ imprisonment on charges of obstruction of the Congress.
With other supporters of the elected former US President Donald Trump, the now 39-year-old athlete illegally gained access to the rooms of the Capitol for almost an hour on the day of the Capitol Tower, where the chambers of parliament of the USA meet and the newly elected on that day President Joe Biden should confirm in office. To prevent this, hundreds of Trump supporters, including Keller, set out to demonstrate their loyalty.
Assault on the Capitol: MPs insulted, evidence destroyed
Keller admitted that he filmed police officers in Congress and verbally abused the Chairwoman of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader. Later he destroyed the memory card with the recordings from the Capitol. He also threw away the distinctive jacket he wore in the Capitol.
Keller has already been fined $ 2,000 for his involvement in the Capitol Tower. The former professional athlete probably does not have to fear further severe penalties because of his cooperation with the authorities, forecast legal experts. More than 600 people were arrested in connection with the Capitol storm, according to the US Department of Justice. The judiciary is taking action against 185 of them because they allegedly attacked or obstructed officials.
Defendant in US court: Olympic winner wore “Team USA” jacket during uprising
Investigators had identified the athlete not only because of his conspicuous stature (he is almost two meters tall) and because he was recognized on photo and video material, he also wore a jacket with the words “Team USA” on it during the attack on the Capitol, which dispelled the last doubts about the identity of the sports celebrity.
Keller won Olympic gold in 2004 with Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Peter Vanderkaay in the 800-meter freestyle relay and was also part of the winning team in 2008, but was not used in the final. In addition, he won one silver and two bronze medals at the Olympic Games. (ska / dpa / AFP)
