Edward Kelley, a 33-year-old from Tennessee, was convicted for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and has now been convicted again for plotting the murder of FBI agents. Kelley was found guilty on November 20, 2024, in a federal court in Tennessee on charges related to a conspiracy to murder federal employees, solicitation to commit violence, and influencing a federal official by threat. This conviction follows his earlier trial for storming the U.S. Capitol and assaulting law enforcement officers during the January 6 attack.
In the D.C. case, Kelley had already been found guilty of civil disorder, destruction of government property over $1,000, and assaulting police officers. Evidence presented during his second trial in Knoxville revealed his continued violent intentions after the Capitol riot. While awaiting trial in Washington, D.C., Kelley allegedly began plotting the assassination of the FBI agents who had been investigating him. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Kelley compiled a “kill list” of FBI agents and their associates, distributing it to other conspirators. He even provided images of the targets to further the plot.
Prosecutors highlighted the chilling nature of Kelley’s plans, which involved a detailed approach to murdering federal agents. Kelley and his co-conspirators, including Austin Carter, a former associate who had already pleaded guilty, discussed carrying out attacks against the FBI’s Knoxville Field Office. The plans allegedly included using car bombs and incendiary devices attached to drones. They also strategized about targeting FBI agents at their homes and public places, such as movie theaters. The plot was uncovered by the Knoxville Joint Terrorism Task Force, a multi-agency collaboration involving federal, state, and local law enforcement, which was led by the FBI.
The trial included recorded evidence of Kelley’s statements discussing his violent plans. Prosecutors played recordings where Kelley mentioned taking “a course of action” to carry out the attacks. In these recordings, he referred to his intentions with phrases like “start it,” “attack,” and “take out their office,” indicating a clear commitment to his violent goals.
This latest conviction follows an earlier guilty verdict related to the events of January 6, where Kelley was seen wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat and a TCAPP sweatshirt while participating in the storming of the Capitol. During the riot, Kelley was involved in breaching the Capitol building, assaulting officers, and causing property damage.
Kelley’s violent actions have continued well beyond the Capitol attack, as his planned assassination of FBI agents illustrates the ongoing threat he posed to federal officials. As a result of the convictions, Kelley faces a sentencing hearing scheduled for May 2025, just over a month after he is to be sentenced for his Capitol riot charges in Washington, D.C.
The severity of Kelley’s actions has raised alarms about the extent to which some individuals involved in the January 6 events have continued to harbor violent intentions against law enforcement and government officials. His case serves as a stark reminder of the potential long-term threats posed by individuals radicalized by the Capitol attack and the broader political environment at the time.
