Ryan Kelley, a major Republican governor candidate in Michigan, was arrested on Thursday in connection with his suspected participation in the rioting at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

The arrest occurred on the same day that the House committee probing the case would have its first televised session on January 6.

Kelley was brought into federal custody and charged with trespassing, disorderly behavior, committing an act of violence against a person or property on restricted premises, and depredation of government property, among other misdemeanors.

Kelley’s house in Allendale Township was also raided by the FBI.

It’s unclear why the FBI took 18 months after Jan. 6 to arrest Kelley. After all, he has always stated that he was there at the Capitol on that day, but that he never entered the building.

Kelley’s attendance in the Capitol on Jan. 6 is confirmed by documents gathered by federal investigators. He is not photographed inside the Capitol building in any of the records. Kelley was amid a mob that climbed stairs outside the Capitol, according to pictures. Many of the people in the mob surrounding him ultimately went inside.

With each count against Kelley, he could spend a year in jail.

His campaign has yet to issue a comment about the arrest. Kelley, on the other hand, said on Facebook on Thursday, “Political Prisoner.”

Kelley gained to attention in the Great Lakes State in 2020 after being an ardent critic of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s severe COVID-19 limitations (D).

Kelley earned prominence as an enthusiastic supporter of former President Donald Trump, making bogus accusations that Democrats cheated Trump in the 2020 election.

The Michigan primary will be held on August 2nd. Kelley is now leading a field of five Republican candidates in a recent survey.