WASHINGTON — Former U.S. swimmer and Olympic gold medalist Klete Keller was sentenced to 36 months of probation Friday, avoiding jail time for his participation in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
The sentence also includes six months of home confinement and 360 hours of community service.
A three-time Olympian who won five medals, Keller is among the most high-profile people to be sentenced in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection, which has resulted in more than 1,000 criminal cases. Law enforcement officers were able to identify Keller on security footage thanks at least in part to the blue Team USA jacket that he wore when entering the Capitol.
Keller’s attorney, Zachary Deubler, told reporters that his client would have no comment as they left the courtroom but “he’s very happy.”
Under federal sentencing guidelines, Keller was facing up to 21 months in prison. But prosecutors had asked that he be sentenced to just 10 months, because of the cooperation and assistance he’s provided with other cases after reaching a plea agreement in 2021.
Instead, U.S. District Court judge Richard Leon decided against any jail time, while requiring only six months of home confinement, during which Keller will be permitted to only travel from home to his place of work or other approved locations. The judge described the case as “one of the most unique” and “maybe the most unique” criminal cases stemming from Jan. 6, explaining that he believed the former Olympian could best…
