Crime & Safety

Former Olympian From Phoenix Pleads Guilty To Storming Capitol

Klete Keller pleaded guilty to felony obstruction of an official proceeding and agreed to cooperate with police as part of a plea deal.

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Caitlin Sievers, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
This 2008 file photo shows United States' relay swimmer Klete Keller at the Beijing Olympics. The five-time Olympic medalist pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a felony charge for storming the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot.
This 2008 file photo shows United States' relay swimmer Klete Keller at the Beijing Olympics. The five-time Olympic medalist pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a felony charge for storming the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot. (Thomas Kienzle/Associated Press file photo)

PHOENIX, AZ — Former Olympic swimmer and former Phoenician Klete Keller pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony for his part in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, the Associated Press reported.

Keller pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of an official proceeding.

Keller acknowledged in court documents that he tried to obstruct Congress from certifying Joe Biden's electoral college win in the 2020 election when he stormed the Capitol, according to the Associated Press report.

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As part of a plea agreement in which he agreed to cooperate with investigators, Keller faces a recommended sentence of 15-21 months in prison instead of the maximum for his charge of 20 years, 12 News reported.

Keller, 39, was raised in Arizona and now lives in Colorado Springs, according to the Associated Press. He competed in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics. He is a gold, silver and bronze medalist.

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