Klete Keller, Olympic swimmer, charged in US riot, turns himself in

Olympic swimmer and gold medalist, Klete Keller handed himself to federal authorities on Thursday. Before, he was charged three times in Denver by US District law for his role in the last week riot held at US Capitol. The riot resulted in the death of at least five people.

Keller, 38, has won Olympic for swimming completion and has earned five medals in total. This medal includes gold medal of 2004 and 2008 Summer Games in favour of team USA.

He got released from custody without bond, working as a commercial real estate agent in Colorado Springs until Tuesday.

The US federal authorities charged him with blocking off law enforcement engaged in official duties to civil disorder, two misdemeanours and a felon. Also, purposely entering and remaining in any restricted property or ground without any authority. Moreover, law violation by violent entry and disorderly performance on Capitol grounds.

The court informed Keller in a 24- minute hearing that one charge includes a penalty of five years of prison along with 250,000 dollars fine. Simultaneously, the other two charges contain one year and six months penalty respectively, plus a quarter-million dollar fine each.

Keller did not talk much on Thursday other than some question to acknowledge to Magistrate Judge Michael E. Hegarty. The Magistrate ordered Keller may leave Colorado if he wishes to see his children in North Carolina. But he has to surrender his passport before.

During the process, the court also declared whether Keller would face extra charges by calling a Grand Jury.

The FBI and the Justice Jury indicated this week that the people present in the Capitol last week will face direct charges. This is when Congress met Joe Biden to certify him president election of Democrat. Moreover, the grand Jury will also indicate if they should include additional costs or not.

As per the statements mentioned in his arrest warrant, Keller was among the rioters who marched to the US Capitol at 2 PM EST. The mobs were responsible for breaking windows and assaulting officers.

 According to a video of the riot present in the FBI records, Keller was easily identifiable in the mob. He was the tallest individual among them, bout 6 foot 6 tall.

Keller has a tattoo of Arizona flag on his right biceps. Moreover, he also received Phoenix swim Club training with other famous Olympic winners. He used his fame as Olympic champion to promote himself in the commercial real estate agent position in Colorado.

Keller got famous first after he held off Australian star Ian Thorpe for swimming in the anchor leg. The competition was of the 4×200 meter-freestyle relay. This competition was in the 2004 Athens Games. He won the race by just 0.13 second.   

Keller won bronze medal continuously in the 400 freestyle at the 2004 Games and 2000 Sydney Olympics. These medals also included American record (3:44:11) held in Athens.

He also received silver in the 4×200 m freestyle relay held in Sidney. Moreover, he won gold in the same relay for the Beijing Game in 2008.