A former Detroit Lions linebacker was arrested and charged with allegedly assaulting legislation enforcement and different offenses over the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, in keeping with the Division of Justice (DOJ).
Leander Antwione Williams, 31, of Savannah, Ga., was charged with a felony offense of resisting, assaulting and impending legislation cops, in keeping with the U.S. Lawyer’s Workplace in Washington.
Williams was additionally charged with a number of misdemeanor offenses, together with disorderly conduct in a Capitol constructing, act of bodily violence on the Capitol grounds and getting into and remaining in a restricted constructing, the DOJ mentioned in a Thursday information launch.
The DOJ mentioned he was arrested by the FBI in Savannah on Thursday and “will make his initial appearance in the Southern District of Georgia.”
Prosecutors alleged that Williams was in one of many preliminary teams of rioters “to breach the restricted permitter of Capitol grounds” and attacked Capitol Cops.
The previous fifth-round decide within the 2016 NFL draft “confronted and overpowered” legislation enforcement that was stationed on the perimeter, in keeping with courtroom data. Later, he allegedly tried to grab one of many bike racks from an officer who tried to clear the plaza. Because the Metropolitan Police Division (MPD) tried to push the group again, Williams “allegedly lunged at an officer, swatting at the officer’s hand as the officer deployed spray to prevent the rioters from advancing.”
Later, he grabbed a barricade. MPD officers tried to push him again, however Williams allegedly resisted and “struck an officer on the head with a forceful arm motion.”
Williams was recognized in images launched by the FBI as “AFO-419” (Assault on Federal Officer).
Since January 2021, over 1,560 people have been charged concerning the assault on the Capitol, in keeping with the DOJ. Over 590 have been charged with felonies of assaulting or impeding legislation enforcement.
