KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An Olathe man facing federal charges for his alleged role in the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riots, served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years.
Thursday, Christopher Charles Kuehne, was charged with conspiracy, civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding, knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
Capt. Joseph Butterfield with the U.S. Marines confirmed to 41 Action News that Kuehne served in the Marines from April 6, 1993, until July 31, 2013.
During his time in the military, Kuehne won numerous individual and unit/service awards.
Kuehne is a recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal winner (three times), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal winner (two times), a Purple Heart Medal recipient, a Combat Action Ribbon and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (two times).
As a unit, he also received the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (four times), National Defense Service Medal (two times), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (two times) and the Navy Unit Commendation (four times).
Kuehne was promoted to a U.S. O-3 Captain in 2007. He held roles as a rifleman, scout sniper, field artillery officer and adjutant.
His last duty assignment was at the 9th Communication Battalion in Camp Pendleton, California.
Kuehne appeared virtually for his first court appearance Friday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. His next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 26.
Another Olathe resident, William Chrestman, who was arrested Thursday for his role in the Capitol attack also made his first appearance Friday.
The third alleged member of the Kansas City chapter of the white nationalist Proud Boys hate group who was arrested Thursday — Louis Colon, of Blue Springs — made his first appearance Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
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