Jan. 6 defendant deserves life for FBI murder plot: DOJ
Share this @internewscast.com

Edward Kelley (images via FBI court filing).

An “unrepentant” defendant from the Jan. 6 events, found guilty last year of conspiring to assassinate FBI agents involved in his case following the 2021 U.S. Capitol incident, has been sentenced to life imprisonment as of Wednesday.

Edward Kelley received this sentence from U.S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan during a court session in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Justice Department contended in a sentencing memo the prior month that Kelley merited the most severe penalty possible, as he persisted in “believing he was justified in targeting East Tennessee law enforcement for assassination” and felt “duty-bound as a self-proclaimed patriot to do so.”

DOJ officials announced in a press release that the judge agreed.

“Kelley, 36, of Maryville … was sentenced to life in prison today in the Eastern District of Tennessee,” the release said.

“According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Kelley developed a plan to murder law enforcement, including agents, officers, and employees of the FBI, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Maryville Police Department, Blount County Sheriff’s Office, and Clinton Police Department,” recapped DOJ officials. “The evidence indicated that Kelley compiled a ‘kill list’ of law enforcement personnel and distributed it—alongside videos showcasing his targets—to an accomplice as part of his ‘mission.'”

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox.

Kelley was convicted in November 2024 on charges of conspiracy to murder federal employees, solicitation to commit a crime of violence and influencing a federal official by threat following a three-day trial. The government filed its sentencing memorandum on June 17 and recommended a punishment of life in prison, blasting Kelley’s criminal conduct as being “unquestionably serious,” according to the filing.

“The defendant is remorseless,” the DOJ charged.

“From even before the instant offenses of conviction, through his commission of these crimes, up until and after trial, the defendant’s conduct demonstrates a fundamental absence of remorse, a commitment to continuing his criminal behavior once released from prison, disrespect for the rule of law, and a profound need for deterrence,” the government added. “Beyond merely failing to accept responsibility for his own criminal conduct, the Defendant affirmatively believes he is the victim of a crime apparently committed by the FBI, the United States, the trial witnesses, the jury, and this Court. Rather than evince a desire to rehabilitate himself, he appears proud of his crimes.”

More from Law&Crime: ‘Timely, but little else’: Cops condemn pardoned Jan. 6 rioters’ push for ‘inclusive’ Capitol memorial plaque as legally baseless sideshow

Kelley’s attorney, Mark Brown, claimed in their response that the DOJ was using “unsubstantiated and uncharged allegations” to place Kelley in a “false light.”

Kelley tried claiming earlier this year that his federal murder plot case and conviction in the Volunteer State were “related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021,” according to court documents. He filed a motion to dismiss his indictment and to vacate his jury convictions on Jan. 27, one week after Trump issued his executive order pardoning anyone prosecuted for the riot. The DOJ urged Varlan to uphold Kelley’s conviction, condemning his claims as “wrong” and Kelley, himself, for having “no authority supporting his position.”

In March, Varlan — a George W. Bush appointee — agreed with the DOJ and rejected Kelley’s court bid to get his murder plot conviction covered by Trump’s pardon, saying “none of the substantive offenses or charging provisions overlap” in the way Kelley has claimed in filings. The DOJ said Kelley was “motivated by a desire to initiate a civil war and to retaliate for his previous arrest,” and was someone who was “committed to executing his plan.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

TikTok Star Fatally Shot on Beach Shortly After Recording Video: District Attorney

Inset: Chrystofer Whyte taking a selfie video on the same beach in…

Police: Man fatally shoots two grandfathers during their morning walk

Inset left: Charles Ernest Lopez (Houston Police Department) Inset right: Natanael Fuentes…

Lawsuit Alleges HHS Wrongfully Shared Medicaid Data for Deportation Efforts

President Donald Trump, left, addresses the audience as Health and Human Services…

Bryan Kohberger Admits Guilt in 2022 Murder of Four University of Idaho Students

On Wednesday, Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to killing four University of Idaho…

Man Fires at Garbage Truck Following Wawa Dispute: Police Report

Background: The Wawa location in Zephyrhills, Fla. (Google Maps). Inset: Quinson Croson…

Girlfriend Uncovers and Reports Mass Shooting Plot: Police

Isaiah Oglesby (left) and James Thomas Goolsby (Pinellas County Sheriff”s Office). Two…

Tragic Incident: Toddler Loses Life to Unattended Firearm

A tragic incident occurred when a 3-year-old boy died after apparently accidentally…

Justin Ross Harris Freed After 11 Years for Son’s Tragic Hot Car Incident

A Georgia father who had his murder conviction overturned in connection with…

Police Report: Woman Expresses Gratitude Following Fatal DUI Accident Killing Three

Inset: Kearra Thomas (Williamson County Jail). Background: Authorities responding to the scene…

Judge States Lawyer Referenced ‘Non-Existent’ Case Against Trump Administration

Left: U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta (via U.S. District Court for the…

Individual Accused of Multiple Domestic Violence Offenses, Including Rape and Kidnapping, Against Two Women

A Sydney man who allegedly choked a woman he met on a…

Attractive Teacher with 55 Charges Wishes to Move Near Student Alleged in Abuse Case

On Wednesday, a judge in DuPage County, Illinois, rejected a plea from…