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FBI arrests gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley, searches Allendale home

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley
Ryan Kelley for Governor
A screengrab from a campaign video for Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley

Michigan candidate for governor, Ryan Kelley, faces misdemeanor criminal charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack at the U.S. capitol.

Kelley was arrested by the FBI Thursday at his home in Allendale in western Michigan. After appearing before a judge in a Grand Rapids federal courtroom Thursday afternoon, he was released without bail.

Documents say that Kelley was part of a crowd that tried to disrupt the certification of President Joe Biden as the winner of the November election. The evidence includes photos and videos of the insurrection that were posted online.

Kelley is a Republican candidate for governor of Michigan who will appear on the August statewide primary ballot. That's not the case for numerous other Republicans who were accused of submitting fraudulent signatures and were dropped from the ballot.

The criminal complaint alleges that Kelley, among other things, knowingly entered and engaged in disorderly conduct in restricted buildings or grounds and engaged in an act of physical violence.

Original post:

Republican candidate for governor Ryan Kelley was arrested by the FBI Thursday morning following a raid of his home.

The criminal complaint filed against Ryan Kelley
The criminal complaint filed against Ryan Kelley in U.S. District Court.

The Department of Justice confirmed Kelley was arrested on misdemeanor charges related to his involvement in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

He has been charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; knowingly engaging in any physical violence against a person or property in any restricted building or grounds; and willfully injuring or committing depredation against any property of the United States.

Kelley is set to appear in court Thursday afternoon.

A real estate agent from Allendale, Kelley rose to prominence after protesting the removal of a Confederate statue from his hometown. He was one of the organizers of the "American Patriot Rally" at the state capitol in June 2020.

He is one of five Republican candidates running for governor.

This is a developing story.

Emma is a communications specialist with the digital team at Michigan Radio. She works across all departments at Michigan Radio, with a hand in everything from digital marketing and fundraising to graphic design and website maintenance. She also produces the station's daily newsletter, The Michigan Radio Beat.
Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987.