BREAKING: Magistrate Judge Orders Release of Minnesota Church Protestor William Kelly
All three Minnesota church protestors have now been released from federal custody.
A federal magistrate judge on Friday ordered the release of William Kelly, the far-left agitator who stormed a St. Paul church and harassed parishioners on Sunday.
William Kelly was arrested and charged with conspiracy to deprive rights, a federal crime, and violating the FACE Act 18 USC 248 for his involvement in the St. Paul church riots.
Kelly was wearing his signature “F*ck Trump” beanie when he was taken into custody.
William Kelly is being charged with conspiracy to deprive rights, a federal crime, for his involvement in the St. Paul church riots. pic.twitter.com/cXuuvQ9zxR
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 22, 2026
On Friday, Magistrate Shannon Elkins said there was no basis for pretrial detention.
UPDATE: Mag. Judge Shannon Elkins has ordered release of 3rd person arrested in connection with the anti-ICE church protest in MN Sunday, William Kelly. A top DOJ officialcalled him a ‘domestic terrorist,’ but judge said there was no basis for pretrial detention. Stay also denied https://t.co/Q2D0vdgA9U
— Josh Gerstein (@joshgerstein) January 23, 2026
Kelly, a well-known leftist agitator, charged into Cities Church on Sunday as Don Lemon livestreamed the crime.
He got in the face of parishioners and shouted down the pastor.
Kelly later compared storming the church to Jesus flipping over tables in the Temple.
Worshippers and children were absolutely terrified as William Kelly, BLM activist Nikema Armstrong, and Don Lemon interrupted the service and shouted down the pastor.
WATCH:
After storming the church, William Kelly taunted Bondi.
“Yesterday, I went into a church with Nekima Armstrong, and I protested these white supremacists!” he said. “The pastor of the church is a f*cking ICE leader in the city?!”
“They want to come after me? F*ck em!” he said. “F*ck those f*cking Nazis! Come and get me, Pam Bondi! You f*cking traitorous b*tch!”
WATCH:
Breaking: Woke farmer who stormed the church in St. Paul goes on a rant because Pam Bondi says they’re going after him.
“F*ck those f*cking Nazis, come and get me Pam Bondi, you f*cking traitorous b*tch”
You heard him @AGPamBondi.
GO GET HIM! pic.twitter.com/CF1VqDjVHr
— Red Line News (@RedLineNewsUSA) January 19, 2026
A federal judge on Friday ordered the release of the other two Minnesota church protestors.
US District Judge Laura Provinzino, a Biden appointee, said the protestors, Nekima Armstrong and Chauntyll Allen, are not a serious flight risk.
You can email Cristina Laila here, and read more of Cristina Laila’s articles here.
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