Capitol riot: Olympic swimmer charged; man in ‘Camp Auschwitz’ sweater arrested

Capitol riot: Olympic swimmer charged; man in 'Camp Auschwitz' sweater arrested
UPI

Jan. 13 (UPI) — A former U.S. Olympic gold medalist was charged, while a man seen wearing a “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt and two Virginia police officers were arrested in connection with last week’s riot at the Capitol.

Klete Keller, a gold medal-winning swimmer for the U.S. Olympic team was charged with obstructing law enforcement, knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building, and violent entry and disorderly conduct after being identified as one of the rioters who stormed the Capitol building as Congress worked to certify the results of the presidential election Wednesday.

According to court documents, an FBI agent was able to identify the 6-foot-6 Keller in part because of his height and also because of the Team USA jacket he wore during the riot.

Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, issued a statement that did not mention Keller by name but alluded to reports of an “alumni Olympic athlete involved in the horrific acts at the U.S. Capitol building last week.”

“At home and around the world, Team USA athletes are held to a very high standard as they represent our country on the field of play and off,” she said. “What happened in Washington, D.C., was a case where that standard was clearly not met. The people involved attacked the very fabric of the democracy we all proudly represent and, in turn, also let our community down.”

In Virginia, Robert Keith Packer was arrested and charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building, and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. He drew attention for wearing a sweatshirt with the phrase “Camp Auschwitz” on it.

The 56-year-old was booked into Western Tidewater Regional Jail after he was spotted during a stakeout of his Newport News home.

Additionally, Rocky Mountain Police Department officers Thomas Robertson and Jacob Fracker of Rocky Mount, Va., were arrested and charged with misdemeanor counts of illegal entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Robertson and Fracker were both placed on administrative leave.

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