An Olympic medalist turned Capitol rioter was released from federal custody and ordered to stay away from the country’s capital until next week’s inauguration.
Klete Keller, a 38-year-old swimmer who has won five Olympic medals for the United States, appeared in Denver’s federal court on Thursday after being arrested on federal charges related to her participation in the fatal Jan. 6 rebellion.
Only after President-elect Biden takes office, will the Colorado resident be allowed to return to Washington to attend court and legal appointments. Keller must ask the court for permission to visit his children in North Carolina.
The former teammate of Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, six feet tall, was accused on Wednesday of intentionally entering a restricted building to prevent an official government function, disorderly conduct and obstruction of police officers.
At least a dozen members of the swimming community identified Keller wearing a Team USA jacket in a video of the siege, and the images of the images were included in a court document.
His alleged involvement in the riots was first reported by SwimSwam, a website that covers competitive water sports.
Keller resigned from his job as a realtor after his arrest, the website noted.
The swimmer struggled to adapt to post-Olympic life and lived in his car for 10 months after his divorce in 2014, according to SwimSwam.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee denounced Keller and the riots in a statement.
“At home and around the world, US team athletes are considered to be a very high standard, as they represent our country on the playing field and outside. What happened in Washington, DC, was a case where this standard was clearly not met, ”partly read the statement by USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland.
Nearly 100 people have been charged with violating the Capitol, and officials say a nationwide manhunt will result in hundreds of additional arrests.
Keller competed at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, with two gold medals in his collection.
Wired AP