Michigan gubernatorial candidate arrested for rioting on Capitol Hill

The FBI arrested Michigan’s leading Republican gubernatorial candidate Thursday on charges of involvement in the storming the capitol of USA on January 6, 2021 by supporters of the then president donald trump.

The Justice Department said that Ryan Kelly40, participated in the violent attack on the Capitol which aimed to stop the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory over Trump in the November 2020 presidential election.

Look: Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys, is accused of conspiring to commit sedition for the assault on the Capitol

Kelley, a member of the Planning Commission in the town of Allendale, Michiganand founder of the far-right American Patriot Council, was accused of illegally entering the Capitol and engaging in acts of violence against property.

An affidavit filed in federal court in Washington details his involvement in the unrest on January 6, using videos, photographs and other information posted on social media, as well as phone records, to identify him.

In some cases Kelly even urged the crowd to enter the Capitol.

A video of that day published on the internet by the informative site Michigan Tea supposedly shows Kelley Screaming: “Come on, let’s go! This is all! This is war, baby!”

Kelley was arrested at his Allendale home early Thursday, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI. The reasons that led to his arrest almost a year and a half after the events were still not clear.

This real estate agent, linked to a local militia that protested against the removal of statues of Confederate generals or anti-Covid restrictions, has embarked on the race to become Governor of Michigan.

A man, identified as Ryan Kelley (center) gestures as supporters of US President Donald Trump walk past the barriers at the US Capitol, January 6, 2021. (REUTERS/Jim Urquhart/)

In a survey published at the end of May after the invalidation of other candidacies, Kelley led the voting intentions in the Republican primaries on August 2.

It is unknown how this arrest will affect his campaign. For now, on his Facebook page there was a two-word statement: “Political prisoner.”

Kelley He is among the more than 840 people arrested for participating in the attack on the United States Congress headquarters on January 6, 2021.

Most, including Kelley, have been charged with misdemeanor charges of illegally entering the Capitol and obstructing an official meeting of Congress.

But about 255 people face criminal charges of assault, robbery and conspiracy.

On Monday, five members of the far-right group Proud Boys, which was involved in organizing the Jan. 6 raid, were charged with seditious conspiracy, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Source: Elcomercio