Michigan GOP candidate for governor Ryan Kelley charged for role in Capitol riot

Ryan Kelley, one of five Republican candidates for Michigan governor, was charged with a misdemeanor Thursday for his role in the 2021 postelection riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Kelley was arrested at his home in Allendale, Michigan Thursday morning, and an arrest warrant and search warrant were executed at his home by FBI, a law enforcement official confirmed. He’s awaiting a court hearing in Grand Rapids, FBI spokeswoman Mara Schneider said. 

There was no immediate comment from Kelley’s campaign.

Kelley’s participation in the Jan. 6 insurrection has been widely known, and prosecutors said in their statement of facts filed with the court, “[T]he FBI received multiple tips regarding Ryan Kelley’s presence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.”

The prosecutors’ statement notes at one point, Kelley, at about 2 p.m. on Jan. 6, “climbed onto and stood on an architectural feature next to the North West stairs and indicated by waving his hand that the crowd behind him should move towards the stairs leading into the U.S. Capitol building.”

Ryan Kelley at Capitol, on Jan. 6, 2021. Government evidence

In the court document, federal investigators filed several photos of him in a baseball cap worn backward, trying to rally the pro-Donald Trump crowd. 

Ryan Kelley at Capitol, outlined in red. Government evidence

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

CBS News’ Rob Legare and Pat Milton contributed to this report.

Read the government’s statement of facts on Ryan Kelley here:

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