Klete Keller: Olympic gold medallist spared jail over Capitol riot

Klete Keller, seen here in a court drawing, pleaded guilty in 2021

An Olympic gold medallist swimmer has been spared jail as he was sentenced for his role in the US Capitol riot.

Klete Keller, 41, was sentenced to three years' probation and six months of home detention.

He co-operated with authorities after pleading guilty in September 2021 to one charge of obstructing an official proceeding before Congress.

Keller swam for the US in three Olympics and won gold medals in 2004 and 2008.

He was among supporters of former President Donald Trump who stormed Congress as lawmakers met to certify Joe Biden's election victory on 6 January 2021.

Footage taken during the riot shows the 6ft 6in former athlete inside the Capitol building shouting profanities about then-House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

According to prosecutors, Keller also physically resisted a police officer's efforts to remove him from the building.

He was later identified because of a Team USA athletic jacket he was wearing at the time.

"Klete Derik Keller once wore the American flag as an Olympian," prosecutors wrote in a pre-sentencing memo, in which they sought a 10-month prison term. "On January 6, 2021, he threw that flag in a trash can."

Klete Keller was one of the US team's gold medal winners at the 2008 Beijing Olympics

On Friday, Keller, a real estate agent, told US District Judge Richard Leon he knew his actions were wrong.

"I have no excuse for why I am in front of you today," he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press.

"I understand my actions were criminal and that I am fully responsible for my conduct."

Judge Leon said he believed Keller should help speak to young people about his mistakes, rather than spend time in jail.

"If there ever was a case that screams out for probation, this is it," the judge said.

He also ordered Keller to perform 360 hours of community service.

In total, he won five medals - including two golds - at three Olympic games, but had personal and financial difficulties after withdrawing from competitive swimming.

About 1,200 people have so far been charged over the Capitol riot, of which about 900 have pleaded guilty or been convicted.

Sentences have ranged from just days in jail to 22 years in prison.

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