January 6th Rioter Sentenced to Life for Plotting to Kill FBI Agents

A man who participated in the January 6th Capitol riots and later plotted to kill FBI special agents has been sentenced to life in prison. Edward Kelley, a resident of Maryville, Tennessee, was involved in the initial storming of the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election results.

Following his involvement in the riots, the 36-year-old former Marine was accused of creating a "kill list" of 36 federal agents and planning their murder while awaiting trial. Prosecutors stated that Kelley, along with another individual, Austin Carter, intended to attack an FBI office in Knoxville using improvised explosive devices and drones. Kelley reportedly conducted "combat drills" and instructed his associates that "every hit has to hurt."

Kelley was found guilty last November of conspiracy to murder federal employees, soliciting a crime of violence, and influencing a federal official through threats. U.S. District Judge Thomas Varlan delivered the life sentence during a hearing in Knoxville. Kelley's request to be released pending an appeal was denied.

In January, Kelley was among the individuals pardoned by the president for crimes related to the Washington, D.C. attack. A legal dispute arose between Kelley's defense and federal prosecutors regarding whether the pardon protected him from the Tennessee murder plot conviction. Judge Varlan sided with the prosecutors, emphasizing the separation in time and location between the events.

The government sought a life sentence for Kelley, describing him as a "remorseless" criminal with no apparent desire for rehabilitation. Prosecutors argued that Kelley believed his actions were justified and that his self-proclaimed role as a "patriot" compelled him to target law enforcement for assassination.

Kelley's defense attorney argued that no one was directly threatened or harmed by Kelley, and that he did not deserve the same sentence as someone who had injured or killed a large number of people.

During the January 6th events, the FBI reported that Kelley was captured on video assisting other rioters in assaulting a Capitol Police officer. He was also identified as the fourth person to enter the Capitol building, allegedly using a piece of wood to damage a window. He was wearing a sweatshirt that read TCAPP – “The Church At Planned Parenthood”.