A Trump supporter's involvement in the January 6 Capitol breach takes a darker turn with additional criminal charges.
According to NBC News, Edward Kelley, one of the first rioters to enter the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 insurrection, has been convicted of conspiring to murder FBI agents who were investigating his role in the riot.
The 33-year-old anti-abortion activist received the guilty verdict after a swift trial in Knoxville, Tennessee, where jurors deliberated for just one hour before reaching their decision. The charges included conspiracy to murder U.S. employees, solicitation to commit violent crimes, and threatening federal officials.
Kelley's initial involvement in the Capitol riot marked him as the fourth person to breach the building during the insurrection. He wore distinctive attire during the attack, sporting a sweatshirt with the acronym TCAPP, representing "The Church At Planned Parenthood." During the chaos, prosecutors presented evidence suggesting Kelley may have been armed, pointing to a concealed holster, though this was not definitively proven.
The investigation revealed communications between Kelley and his wife during the riot, with her expressing disbelief in "fake news" coverage. Kelley's response included encouraging her to switch to Signal, an encrypted messaging application, highlighting his awareness of potential surveillance.
Federal prosecutors demonstrated that Kelley maintained detailed records of law enforcement personnel involved in his case. The list contained approximately 37 names of FBI agents and other officials who had participated in the investigation of his Capitol riot activities.
Co-defendant Austin Carter provided crucial testimony during the trial, having previously entered a guilty plea in November 2023. Carter's testimony revealed Kelley's mindset and strategic planning.
As stated by Carter, Kelley expressed beliefs about an impending civil war and wanted to take preemptive action. The initial plan targeted the FBI's Knoxville field office, but later evolved to focus on individual agents involved in his January 6 case investigation.
Christopher Roddy, a former security colleague of Kelley's, played a vital role in preventing potential violence by alerting the FBI to the threats. His testimony, alongside that of three FBI special agents who perceived the list as a credible threat, strengthened the prosecution's case.
The jury's swift deliberation resulted in Kelley's conviction on all three charges related to the murder plot. His sentencing is scheduled in a structured sequence, with the Capitol riot sentencing set for April 7, followed by the murder plot sentencing on May 7.
The prosecution successfully established Kelley's progression from participating in the Capitol riot to orchestrating a revenge plot against federal investigators. His case represents one of the most serious escalations of post-January 6 criminal activity targeting law enforcement.
Edward Kelley's transformation from a January 6 rioter to a convicted conspirator plotting against FBI agents marks a significant escalation in post-Capitol riot criminal cases. The Knoxville trial revealed his elaborate scheme to target federal agents who investigated his role in the insurrection.
The defendant now awaits two separate sentencing dates in spring 2024, facing consequences for both his participation in the Capitol riot and his subsequent murder plot. This case highlights the ongoing legal repercussions facing January 6 participants and the serious nature of threats against federal law enforcement officials.
