Thread by @EricFlackTV

👀OLYMPIAN ARRIVES AT COURT👀
Former gold medal swimmer Klete Keller was not answering my questions as he arrived at US District Court Wednesday to plead guilty in the #CaptiolRiots. Keller is facing 7 criminal counts including obstruction, a felony. @wusa9 @9NEWS @USASwimming

Hearing underway and the 6’6” former Olympian is standing in front of the Judge with his attorney by his side. Keller makes everyone around him look small. Surreal scene. Keller says he is pleading guilty to count 2 of his 7 count indictment, obstruction of an official proceeding

This is a BIG development as the obstruction charge is a felony. Keller likely faces prison time although we will learn more about that later in the hearing when the DOJ talks about sentencing guidelines. He will lose his right to vote as a convicted felon.

Obstruction of an official proceeding carries a MAX of 20 years in prison although Keller will likely receive far less at sentencing, The judge just reminded Keller that there is no parole in the federal penal system,so whatever time he gets, he serves it all.

Keller’s attorney tells the judge this is a “cooperation agreement” meaning the former Olympian will cooperate with government investigators between now and sentencing in return for the DOJ dropping the 6 other charges against him and potentially recommending a lighter sentence.

DOJ says Keller blocked police and refused to leave Capitol Rotunda. Yelled “F**k Nancy Pelosi and F**k Chuck Schumer” and yanked his arm away from police trying to force him to leave.

DOJ also says Keller destroyed the phone and memory card he as using to take video and photos inside the Capitol and threw away red white and blue USA jacket he was wearing in a trash can. The Judge has now accepted the gold medalists guilty plea. This is now official.

DOJ requests differed sentencing to allow government time to question Keller. DOJ says he could testify at trials. The Judge tells says he doesn’t want to give government a “blank check” and sets status update for Dec 16. because defendants have right to “get on with their lives”

Keller’s attorney tells Judge Keller is “trying to make amends for terrible decision he made on January 6” and “wants to make amends to the court and the country.” Judge asks Keller to stand to remind him he’s now plead guilty to a felony and he must keep his nose clean on bond.

Judge tells Keller sentencing range for him would be 21-27 months but court must do own independent evaluation. The DOJ and Keller’s defense attorney can ask for variances from that sentencing guideline up or down depending on his cooperation. No comment leaving court👇🏻

wusa9.com/article/news/n…