Tennessee Man Convicted of Plotting to Assassinate Federal Agents Post-Capitol Riot

Knoxville, TN — A Tennessee man, formerly apprehended in connection with the January 6 Capitol insurrection, was convicted on Wednesday for plotting the assassination of federal investigators. Edward Kelley, 35, from Maryville, faced charges including conspiracy to murder federal employees and solicitation to commit a crime of violence, as detailed by federal prosecutors.

The conviction arises amid ongoing legal actions against participants of the Capitol riot, with Kelley’s case spotlighting a grave escalation from participation in the riot to targeted threats against law enforcement. While detained and awaiting trial for his involvement in the Capitol breach, Kelley meticulously planned lethal attacks against FBI agents tasked with investigating the events of January 6.

Prosecutors stated that Kelley had concocted a detailed “kill list” comprising FBI agents and other officials involved in probing the Capitol riot. He not only created the list but escalated the threat by distributing it, along with videos pinpointing FBI personnel, to accomplices. According to court documents, one such list, containing 37 names, was handed over to police by a concerned witness.

Recounting chilling details, a cooperating defendant, who has already entered a guilty plea in the related conspiracy case, testified against Kelley. He described plans for attacks on the FBI’s Knoxville office, involving car bombs and incendiary devices mounted on drones. Moreover, the duo had discussed executing FBI staff at their homes and in public venues, including movie theaters.

“This case is particularly disturbing due to the calculated and violent nature of the defendant’s plans,” noted a prosecutor during the trial. Evidence presented in court included recorded statements by Kelley emphasizing the lethal intent of his plans, wherein he remarked that “every hit has to hurt”.

Kelley is now facing a potential life sentence, with his sentencing scheduled for May. The breadth of his planned violence underscores the severe ramifications of the Capitol riot, highlighting ongoing threats to those tasked with safeguarding the democratic process.

This conviction comes as numerous Capitol riot defendants seek to delay their trials, invoking former President Donald Trump’s promise to pardon individuals convicted of offenses related to the January 6 insurrection. Legal filings requesting postponements till 2025 underline the complexities facing the Justice Department as it strives to conclude these cases amidst potential political shifts.

The legal outcomes and ongoing prosecution efforts of Capitol riot participants are of significant public interest, especially as they test the resilience of U.S. institutions against internal threats. This case not only reflects on the immediate legal responses to the Capitol riot but also on broader issues of law enforcement safety and electoral integrity. The case against Kelley and his intended targets reveals the grave risks faced by federal employees working to uphold justice in politically volatile environments.