Edward Kelley, a 35-year-old resident of Maryville, Tennessee, has been found guilty by a federal jury in the Eastern District of Tennessee. The conviction follows a three-day trial where Kelley faced charges of conspiracy to murder federal employees, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, and influencing a federal official by threat.
The court heard evidence that Kelley was involved in planning attacks on law enforcement personnel while awaiting trial for his role in the January 6 Capitol breach. This included creating a "kill list" targeting FBI agents and others involved in investigating his actions during the incident. Kelley reportedly shared this list with a co-conspirator as part of what he described as his "mission."
A cooperating defendant who had previously pleaded guilty testified against Kelley. He revealed plans to attack the Knoxville FBI Field Office using car bombs and drones equipped with incendiary devices. Additionally, they allegedly plotted to assassinate FBI employees at their homes and public venues like movie theaters.
Recordings presented during the trial captured Kelley discussing strategies for executing these plans. In one recording, he urged actions such as “start it,” “attack,” and “take out their office” if he were arrested. He was also recorded saying: “Every hit has to hurt. Every hit has to hurt.”
Kelley's sentencing is set for May 7, 2025, where he could face life imprisonment.
The prosecution team included Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey T. Arrowood and Kyle J. Wilson from the Eastern District of Tennessee, along with Trial Attorneys Jacob Warren, Tanya Senanayake, and David Smith from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia also provided assistance.
The investigation was conducted by the Knoxville Joint Terrorism Task Force comprising federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies under the leadership of the FBI with support from various FBI offices nationwide.