Advance Notice: Briefs

GOP gov. candidate Ryan Kelley arraigned on charges from Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol attack

By: Jon King - June 9, 2022 2:07 pm

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley attends a Republican gubernatorial in Howell on May 13, 2022. (Andrew Roth | Michigan Advance)

Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley has been arraigned on federal charges related to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol following a raid by the FBI Thursday morning at his home in Allendale Township in West Michigan.

FBI spokesperson Mara Schneider told the Michigan Advance that FBI agents from the Grand Rapids office executed an arrest and search warrant at Kelley’s residence and that he was taken into custody at about 9:30 a.m.

Kelley traveled to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, to take part in the protests that preceded the attack on the Capitol building.

Kelley, Ryan - Complaint

Kelley was arraigned Thursday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids on four counts; knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds on Jan. 6, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, knowingly engaging in any act of physical violence against person or property in any restricted building or grounds, and willfully injuring or committing any depredation against any property of the United States.

Magistrate Judge Sally J. Berens granted Kelley bond after prosecutors said they were not opposed to his release, as long as he agreed to stay within the continental United States.

Kelley is one five Republican GOP hopefuls left on the Aug. 2 ballot after five others were tossed off due to a fraudulent petition signature scandal, joining businessman Kevin Rinke, right-wing media personality Tudor Dixon, chiropractor Garrett Soldano and the Rev. Ralph Rebandt.

The winner of the GOP primary will face Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Nov. 8.

Kelley, Ryan - Statement of Facts_Redacted

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Jon King

Jon King has been a journalist for more than 35 years. He is the Past President of the Michigan Associated Press Media Editors Association and has been recognized for excellence numerous times, most recently in 2021 with the Best Investigative Story by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Cleary University. Jon and his family live in Howell, where he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Livingston Diversity Council.