Olympic gold medalist Clete Keller sentenced to 36 months probation for his part in the Capitol riots.

The former U.S. Olympic swimmer Clete Keller was sentenced Friday to 36 months probation for his role in the U.S. Capitol riots, avoiding jail time after pleading guilty to a federal felony. Keller, 41, was also placed on six months of house arrest and will be required to perform 10 hours of community service each month. The two-time Olympic gold medalist, who was one of the first defendants charged in the Jan. 6 riots, was caught on video at the Capitol wearing a U.S. national team jacket, surrounded by other members of the pro-Trump crowd.

Keller was charged with seven federal crimes in the weeks following the attack, but as part of a deal with prosecutors he pleaded guilty to only one of those''s crime of obstruction of official process, for which he faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Federal prosecutors had sought 10 months in prison. In a sentencing memorandum filed last month, prosecutors said Keller's actions on Jan. 6 were "inexcusable" and "will forever remain a stain on the history of this country." However, given that he cooperated extensively with the government after surrendering himself to authorities and expressed genuine remorse for his actions, they asked the judge to give him a much lighter prison sentence.

Prosecutors argued before the court Friday that a suspended sentence "would send a message to the public that it is possible to do this and not be punished. "

The defense objected that Keller had spent''honor, I will not let you down'.

Keller said in court that he understands his "actions were criminal and I am responsible" and apologized to lawmakers and the American people.

"I condemn the violence of this day," he said, promising "not to repeat the mistakes of the past. "

Keller apologized for his actions in a lengthy letter to Leon dated Jan. 23, 2023, in which he described it as "a way to better understand who I am beyond my poor choices on that terrible day" when the sentence was being determined.

"I am ashamed and very embarrassed to stand before you," Keller wrote in the letter. "On January 6, 2021, I illegally entered the U.S. Capitol building and demonstrated without permission. I am ashamed to admit that I wanted to interfere with and influence''conducting the State Electoral College certification process'.

"As a former member of the U.S. National Swimming Team, my behavior set a terrible example for the young people who looked up to it," he continued. "I am fully aware of my inexcusable act.

In their sentencing memorandum, prosecutors noted how Keller joined the crowd inside the Capitol near the Senate chamber and chanted, "Damn Nancy Pelosi" and "Damn Chuck Schumer." He left the Capitol only when officers had to use chemical irritants and use force against some of the rioters.

After leaving the Capitol, Keller told prosecutors he threw away his Olympic''s jacket into a trash can and also smashed his phone with a hammer.

On the train that took Keller to his hotel, he realized the reality of the day when father and son sat down next to him and the son asked the Olympian to take a picture with him, prosecutors said.

"As Keller posed, he collapsed inside," prosecutors said Friday. "Years ago, he stood on the most colorful stage as a U.S. representative. Now, just an hour ago, he stood in the middle of the Capitol and sang the national anthem - this time with alarms blaring and pepper spray in the air, wounded officers and rioters on the ground, and an election on the brink of being decided. "

Keller surrendered to authorities a week after the attack on the Capitol and soon met with the government, admitting his''guilt.

Prosecutors said in the document that while Keller should serve prison time for his actions that day, he also deserves credit for his detailed cooperation with the government over the past three years since he joined the anti-Trump crowd.

"A former Olympic gold medalist with the ability to see America's ideals in practice and represent its position in the world, Keller was in a unique position to know better," the document said. "He should be punished, and his punishment should include imprisonment. But he has also shown genuine remorse and, more importantly, he has tried to right his wrong for nearly three years. "

Keller, a commercial real estate agent, wrote in''s letter to Leon that since his case began, he had begun volunteering at Prison Professors Charitable Corporation. Urging the judge to take that into account when determining his sentence, he wrote, "please keep in mind that I will not repeat the mistakes of my past. "

"I hope my case will serve as a warning to those who condone unlawful behavior, especially during times of political unrest," he wrote. "The consequences of my behavior will haunt me and my family for the rest of our lives. "

Keller is a five-time Olympic medalist, including gold in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay in both 2004 and 2008. He won bronze medals in the 400m freestyle individual medley relay in both Sydney and Athens.

It is noted that as of Nov. 6''More than 1,200 people have been charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6 riots, according to the Justice Department.