Former Phoenix resident and Olympic swimmer Klete Keller has been charged in the storming of the U.S. Capitol. Keller has been charged with entering a restricted building, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
Thousands of supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol during a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6 while lawmakers met to formalize the victory of President-elect Joe Biden. Keller is one of several people in the mob who police say have been identified through news photos and social media.
Keller, who is 6 feet, 6 inches tall, stood a head taller than most of the crowd and was wearing a jacket with a U.S. Olympic team logo.
The 38-year-old Keller competed in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics. He captured two golds and a silver as a member of the 800-meter freestyle relay, as well as a pair of individual bronzes in the 400 free.
Messages seeking comment were not returned by Keller or his sister, former Olympic swimmer Kalyn Keller.
Keller trained for several years under coach Bob Bowman, who is best known as the longtime coach and mentor of Michael Phelps, winner of the most gold medals in Olympic history.
Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, denounced the melee that left five people dead.
“I strongly condemn the actions of the rioters at the U.S. Capitol," she said in a statement. “They do not represent the values of the United States of America or of Team USA."
Keller's social media accounts have been shut down, but they reportedly showed he was an outspoken supporter of Trump.
Keller's athletic achievements are unlikely to be affected by the charges, though he could be shunned by USA Swimming and the USOPC at promotional events and other functions featuring former Olympians.
The International Olympic Committee has only stripped medals from athletes who violated doping rules or other regulations during competition.
Keller, who grew up in Arizona, was working in Colorado as an independent contractor for real estate firm Hoff & Leigh, which said on its web site that he advised "industrial landlords and sellers on maximizing the value of their industrial asset.”
Hoff & Leigh released a statement to SwimSwam on Tuesday saying Keller has resigned.
