The FBI on Thursday arrested Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley and raided his home, a stunning development in one of the state’s most unpredictable primary races.
A criminal complaint filed in Washington D.C. federal court shows Kelley is facing multiple misdemeanor charges for his role in protests at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the building to try to stop certification of President Joe Biden’s win.
The FBI executed both a search warrant and arrest warrant at Kelley’s home in Allendale Township in western Michigan and arrested Kelley, spokesperson Mara Schneider told Bridge Michigan.
Ryan Kelley is expected to appear before a judge later Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan in Grand Rapids.
Video reviewed by Bridge Michigan appeared to show FBI agents leading Kelley into a gray SUV with them shortly before 9:30 a.m.
Kelley has denied entering the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but court records show he has been charged with multiple misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in prison:
- Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority
- Disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds
- Knowingly engaging in any act of physical violence against person or property in any restricted building or grounds
- Willfully injuring or committing any depredation against any property of the United States.
Chris Kelley, a relative and campaign treasurer for the Kelley campaign, said he was “aware” of the Thursday morning law enforcement raid but declined further comment.
A real estate agent, Kelley rose to prominence in conservative circles in 2020 for protesting removal of a Confederate statue in his hometown and organizing a Michigan Capitol protest against COVID-19 policies.
Video from outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 showed Kelley climbing on scaffolding and encouraging other protesters.
Thursday’s raid comes hours before a U.S. House committee investigating the 2021 attacks on the Capitol will present its findings during a prime time hearing.