Marion County

Man arrested in Ocala after tip from relative links him to U.S. Capitol riot, feds say

OCALA, Fla. — A tip from a relative led to the arrest of a man in Ocala on charges related to the U.S. Capitol riot, federal investigators said Friday.

Kenneth Kelly is facing charges of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds;  disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

READ: Alleged Capitol rioter arrested after bragging about role in insurrection on Bumble match

A relative told investigators that Kelly drove from his home in Florida to attend the riot in Washington, D.C. “knowing full well they were going to break in.”

Federal investigators said two relatives shared text messages sent by Kelly showing photos of him inside the U.S. Capitol, including one that read “Patriots took back our capital today.”

READ: Feds: Orange County man with ‘Proud Boys’ tattoo took selfie inside Senate chamber during Capitol riot

Investigators said surveillance photos show someone who appears to be Kelly inside the Capitol building, and that location data from his phone showed him inside the building.

Officials said Kelly turned himself in the Middle District of Florida in Ocala on Friday. He made his initial appearance and was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond.

Related coverage:

Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.

0