FBI arrests Republican candidate for Michigan gov. Ryan Kelley for role in Jan. 6 riot

ALLENDALE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley was reportedly arrested by the FBI on Thursday at his Michigan home.

The FBI confirmed to Local 4 Thursday that it executed a search warrant at Kelley’s Allendale Township home, and that he was arrested. Kelley was taken into custody, though officials did not immediately say what for.

According to official documents, Kelley is being charged with a misdemeanor for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington D.C. The gubernatorial candidate was seen on the steps of the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection, and reportedly participated in the riot.

According to an FBI document, Kelley was said to be “using his hands to support another rioter who is pulling the metal barricade.” An investigation also reportedly led to several sightings of Kelley at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, climbing the building and entering the Capitol’s North West Courtyard.

Kelley is being accused of:

• Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority;
• 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; and
• Willfully injure or commit any depredation against any property of the United States.

Read the entire FBI document below.

The former Allendale Township planning commissioner is one of five GOP candidates running in Michigan’s gubernatorial primary election in hopes of facing incumbent Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this fall.

The news comes as the U.S. House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol plans to go live Thursday evening with public hearings to showcase never-before-seen video, new audio and a “mountain of evidence.”

Below are documents shared by the FBI on Thursday, June 9.

FBI complaint

FBI statement of facts