Klete Keller.Photo: getty images
Former Olympic swimmerKlete Kellerhas agreed to a plea deal related to his involvement in the Jan. 6U.S. Capitol riot.
Appearing in court Wednesday, Keller pleaded guilty to one felony count of obstructing an official proceeding in exchange for prosecutors dropping six other charges against him, according to reports fromNBC,The Washington Post, andUSA Today.
Obstructing an official proceeding is a felony charge that carries an estimated sentence of 21 to 27 months. It is not immediately clear when Keller will be sentenced.
An attorney for Keller did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
The FBI initially filed three charges against Keller, but prosecutors asked the grand jury to consider if more serious charges were warranted, according to theWashington Post.
Rioters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.Samuel Corum/Getty
Since the grand jury returned four additional charges, Keller was facing a maximum sentence of nearly 30 years — which could have been raised if it was determined that the swimmer’s actions resulted in any injuries, thePostreported.
Charges have been filedagainst more than 600 citizens accused of participating in the violent riot. Some face more serious charges, and many have not yet entered a plea.
RELATED VIDEO: Olympic Gold Medalist Klete Keller Identified In Video from U.S. Capitol Riots: Report
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While riot footage of Kellerdid not show him committing acts of violence, many in the group were filmed looting and vandalizing the Capitol.
The former athlete participated in three Summer Olympics games from 2000, 2004, and 2008. Keller won five Olympic medals during his career, including two gold medals as a member of the 4x200-meter freestyle relay team.
source: people.com
