Two-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Klete Keller surrendered himself to federal authorities on Thursday on charges related to his alleged involvement in the United States Capitol riots last week.
Keller, who won five medals at three Olympic games in the 2000s, was charged with three crimes at the United States District Court in Denver and was released without bail, according to the Republic of Arizona.
The charges were revealed on Wednesday, before he turned himself in, and the judge detailed them and the maximum sentences during a hearing on Thursday. Keller may also face additional costs.
Keller faces charges at hearing
According to a US District Court criminal complaint filed in Washington, DC, the 38-year-old man is accused of:
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Obstruct the application of the law involved in official functions in case of civil disorder
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Consciously enter or remain in any restricted building or land without legal authority
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Violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds
The former has a maximum sentence of five years in prison, said Judge Michael E. Hegarty at the hearing, via the Republic. Each charge carries a maximum fine of $ 250,000. According to the Washington Post, Keller faces up to 15 ½ years in prison.
Keller is not allowed to leave Colorado, except to visit his children in North Carolina. He worked as a commercial realtor until Tuesday, when he was identified in photos of the Capitol rebellion.
The Capitol riot video allegedly shows Keller
Keller was reportedly part of the crowd that invaded the United States Capitol last Wednesday, while Congress certified Joe Biden’s 2020 election results. The invasion left five dead.
SwimSwam first reported the news of Keller’s involvement in the attack and several people confirmed his identity to the New York Times. A video shows a tall man in a US Team jacket that people identified as Keller inside the Capitol roundabout as an attempt by the police to contain the rioters. At 1.80 m tall, he is easy to spot in the crowd.
The Washington Post also confirmed its identity in interviews with other Olympic medalists.
Keller’s social media accounts have been disabled. SwimSwam and Keller’s friends who spoke to the Post reported that the accounts contained several posts in support of Donald Trump before they were withdrawn.
Olympic history of Keller with the US team
Keller helped the US team win gold in the 4x200m freestyle relay at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. The group included Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.
He has two bronze medals in the 400m freestyle at Athens and the Sydney Games in 2000. He also helped win silver in the 4x200m relay in Sydney.
Keller retired from competitive swimming in 2008.
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee did not name Keller in a statement released on Wednesday, but it did address reports from former athletes involved and “strongly condemned” the demonstrators’ actions.
There have been calls for Keller to be stripped of medals and former teammates are upset that he has worn the US team uniform in the turmoil.
The USOPC does not have the capacity to receive medals, as only the International Olympic Committee can do this. He took them away from athletes who violated doping rules or other competitive regulations.
He reportedly struggled to adjust to life after the Olympics, according to reports from the Post, the Associated Press and a 2014 story taken from the USA Swimming website. He did not comment on the charges.
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