Record at a Glance
- Category
- Jan 6th
- Age in NPR record
- 40
- Location
- Allendale, Michigan
- Charges
- Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds; Knowingly Engage in any Act of Physical Violence Against Person or Property in any Restricted Building or Grounds; Willfully Injure or Commit any Depredation Against any Property of the United States
- Case status
- Pleaded guilty; Dismissed in part or full; Sentenced
- Presidential action
- Pardon
Case Summary
Two tips and a confidential source led the FBI to Ryan Kelley’s alleged involvement in the attack on the Capitol, court documents show. Kelley is a candidate in the Republican primary for governor. At a “Stop the Steal” rally in Michigan, prosecutors say Kelley told the crowd, “Covid-19 was made so that they can use the propaganda to control your minds so that you think, if you watch the media, that Joe Biden won this election. We’re not going to buy it. We’re going to stand and fight for America, for Donald Trump. We’re not going to let the Democrats steal this election.” Investigators tracked Kelley’s movements on Capitol grounds through news and online videos, reconstructing a timeline they say includes him waving other people towards the stairs to the Capitol. In many images, prosecutors say Kelley wore aviator sunglasses, a black baseball cap with an American flag, a black coat and a red watch strap. Witnesses who know Kelley positively identified him in photos from Jan. 6, 2021. Kelley was arrested in June of 2022.
Case History
Kelley pleaded Guilty to one charge: Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds. The other charges are dismissed. Sentenced on 10/17/2023 to 60 days incarceration; one year of supervised release; $25 special assessment; a $5,000 fine; $500 in restitution. Kelley received a full pardon on January 20, 2025
Sources
- Primary Documentation
NPR Jan. 6 Defendant DatabaseNPR - Primary Documentation
Underlying court recordCourt record linked by NPR
Case summary, charges, procedural updates and image are drawn from the NPR Jan. 6 archive snapshot dated 2026-09-25 unless otherwise indicated.