Michigan Governor Candidate Arrested for Capitol Riot Involvement
Michigan gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley, a Republican contender, faced arrest last Thursday on misdemeanor charges linked to his alleged participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, stated the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Charges and Allegations
Kelley, one of the five candidates participating in the upcoming Aug. 2 Republican primary, was taken into custody in western Michigan earlier on Thursday. He stands accused of four misdemeanor charges, including breaching a restricted area and engaging in physical violence against persons or property.
The FBI contends that Kelley intentionally caused damage to U.S. property, citing imagery showing him tearing a cover off scaffolding at the Capitol building during the tumultuous riot.
Involvement and Image Evidence
Multiple tips received by law enforcement pinpointed Kelley’s presence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, during the chaotic events incited by former President Donald Trump‘s supporters. The FBI asserts that Kelley is identifiable in publicly available images and videos from the riot, sporting aviator sunglasses and a backward-facing black baseball cap.
The FBI’s statement of facts displays footage of the individual believed to be Kelley amidst a group pushing past U.S. Capitol Police and scaling architectural features of the building. The said individual is also seen repeatedly signaling to the crowd to advance towards the Capitol entrance stairs.
Legal Proceedings and Future Steps
Kelley’s arrest coincided with the impending House Jan. 6 select committee’s inaugural prime-time hearing, aimed at presenting fresh evidence linking Trump to efforts seeking to subvert the 2020 election results. In light of the charges, Kelley joins over 800 individuals facing legal repercussions related to the Jan. 6 attacks.
Following his initial court appearance in Grand Rapids, Mich., Judge Sally Berens ruled for Kelley’s release on a personal recognizance bond, with no detention requested by federal authorities. However, the government stipulated that Kelley must not exit the continental U.S. without court authorization, setting the stage for his upcoming federal court appearance in Washington.
Read More of this Story at www.aol.com – 2024-02-28 02:00:00
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