TENNESSEE
Edward Kelley, 36, of Maryville, Tennessee, was sentenced to life in prison for plotting to assassinate federal and state law enforcement officers. A federal jury convicted him on Nov. 20, 2024, of conspiracy to murder federal employees, solicitation to commit a violent crime, and threatening federal officials.
According to court records, Kelley created a “kill list” targeting members of the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, local police departments, and state law enforcement. He shared this list—along with videos of his targets—with a co-conspirator as part of what he called a “mission.”
The co-defendant, who pleaded guilty and cooperated, testified that he and Kelley planned attacks using car bombs and drone-mounted incendiary devices at the FBI’s Knoxville office. They also discussed assassinating FBI agents at their homes and in public places.
Prosecutors introduced recordings of Kelley urging immediate violence: “Start it,” “Attack,” “Take out their office,” and “Every hit has to hurt.”
The case was prosecuted in the Eastern District of Tennessee.