MI Republican Governor Candidate Pleads Not Guilty To Capitol Riot Charges: Report

MICHIGAN — Republican candidate for governor Ryan Kelley pleaded not guilty Thursday on charges in connection to the Jan. 6 Capitol Riot, according to reports.

Kelley was arrested in June by federal agents after they said a tipster gave them photos of a person they believe was Kelley at the riot.

Kelley was charged in connection to the Capital Riot with four misdemeanors, including knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct, knowingly engaging in any act of physical violence against person or property in a restricted building or grounds and willfully injuring or committing depredation against property of the U.S.

If convicted, Kelley faces a maximum punishment of up to one year in federal prison and a fine of up to $100,000 for each charge.

Kelley called his arrest in connection to the Jan. 6 insurrection a "political witch hunt," and said he never entered the Capitol Building. However, he has not denied being at the Capitol during the riot.

"That was a First Amendment activity by a majority of those people, myself included," Kelley said during a gubernatorial debate Wednesday night. "We were there protesting the government because we don’t like the results of the 2020 election, the process of how it happened. And we have that First Amendment right. And that’s what 99 percent of the people were there for that day."

This is a developing story. Stay with Patch for updates