Ryan Kelley, Michigan GOP candidate, arrested for role in Capitol riot

A Republican candidate for Michigan governor, Ryan Kelley, has been arrested by the FBI for his role in the 2021 postelection riot at the U.S. Capitol. The Allendale-based politician was charged with a misdemeanor and awaits a court hearing in Grand Rapids, FBI spokeswoman Mara Schneider said.

Federal investigators filed Kelley’s photos in a baseball cap worn backward, trying to rally the pro-Donald Trump crowd. 

Also read: Capitol riots hearing: Who all are part of Jan 6 panel and what are their roles?

There was no immediate comment from Kelley’s campaign.

Kelley is one of five candidates on the Aug. 2 Republican primary ballot. The winner will face Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

An affidavit filed by the FBI says Kelley was captured on video outside the Capitol, where he repeatedly waved to the crowd, directing them toward stairs leading into the building.

Also read: Capitol riots hearing: When and where to watch the committee proceedings

He also used his cellphone “to film the crowd assaulting and pushing past U.S. Capitol Police Officers.” He is later seen among a crowd that climbed the stairs to a Capitol entrance after causing police to retreat, the document states.

Kelley, who lives in Allendale Township, is accused of disruptive conduct, injuring public property and entering restricted space without permission, according to the criminal complaint.

Kelley is one of five candidates on the Aug. 2 Republican primary ballot. The winner will face Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Ryan Kelley and 800 others are facing criminal charges in connection with the January 6 riot. More than 300 people have pleaded guilty, largely to misdemeanor offenses punishable by no more than one year in prison. Some who’ve pleaded guilty to misdemeanors have gotten short stints behind bars while others have been sentenced to home confinement or just probation.

Also read: What evidence does January 6 committee have against Donald Trump?

Kelley declined to participate in a debate last week because organizers of a public policy conference on Mackinac Island required proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test.

He has told The Associated Press that militia members are “law abiding, lawful citizens that love this country, and maybe you get a couple of them that are bad apples. Question for you is, are bad apples pretty much in everything that we have as far as groups?”