A Tennessee man, Edward Kelley, has been found guilty of assaulting law enforcement and other charges related to his actions during the January 6, 2021, breach at the U.S. Capitol. This incident interrupted a joint session of Congress that was convened to count the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election.
Edward Kelley, aged 35 from Maryville, Tennessee, was convicted on three felony charges, including civil disorder, destruction of government property exceeding $1,000, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers. In addition to these felonies, Kelley was also found guilty of eight misdemeanor offenses, such as entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct, and parading in a Capitol building.
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The verdict was delivered after a bench trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, with sentencing scheduled for April 7, 2025. Evidence presented during the trial showed Kelley in open-source images and videos outside the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 6. There, he was involved in an altercation with a United States Capitol Police officer, resulting in the officer being thrown to the ground by Kelley and two other men.
Kelley was later seen on video pushing against a metal barricade held by police, eventually gaining entry to the Capitol building through a breached window at approximately 2:13 p.m. He proceeded to kick open the Senate Wing Door, allowing more rioters to enter. Kelley moved through various areas within the Capitol, including the Senate Gallery, before exiting through the Rotunda Door at 2:54 p.m., spending about 40 minutes inside.
Kelley was arrested in Tennessee on May 5, 2022. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, with support from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee. The investigation was led by the FBI’s Knoxville and Washington Field Offices, with assistance from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
Since January 6, 2021, over 1,561 individuals have been charged across nearly all 50 states with offenses related to the Capitol breach, including over 590 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation continues, and tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or through the FBI’s tip website.
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Nashville Man Faces Robbery and Arson Charges
Pardrae Gooch, a 38-year-old from Nashville, Tennessee, has been charged with robbery affecting interstate commerce, using fire to commit a felony, and damaging a building by fire after allegedly assaulting an employee, stealing her belongings, and setting a fire at S. Fashion Clothing Store. Emergency responders rescued the victim, who suffered significant injuries, and extinguished the fire. Gooch, who was out on bond for prior domestic violence arrests, faces a potential 15 to 20-year federal prison sentence if convicted on all charges. The investigation involves multiple agencies, and the prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn D. Risinger and Emily Petro.