Leander Antwione Williams, a former Detroit Lions linebacker, has been charged in connection with the violent events of the January 6 Capitol riot. Williams, who was drafted by the Lions in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, also played for the XFL’s DC Defenders before his arrest. According to court documents unsealed following his arrest in Savannah, Georgia, Williams allegedly participated in the mob of pro-Trump supporters who violently clashed with law enforcement officers attempting to protect the U.S. Capitol.
The federal charges against Williams, outlined in the criminal complaint, include allegations that he physically engaged with police officers during the chaos of January 6, 2021. In one instance, body camera footage reportedly shows Williams pulling bike racks away from a police line and striking an officer in the head.
Another video from the riot appears to show him grabbing and pulling against two officers who were trying to push him back. These acts of aggression are part of a larger pattern of violence that prosecutors have accused many individuals of during the Capitol attack.
Williams was identified by the FBI after receiving multiple tips beginning in December 2022. The investigation focused on photographs and videos from the riot, in which Williams was seen wearing a distinctive key fob on his belt loop, which matched images from his social media profiles. These photos, along with further investigation, helped authorities confirm his identity as one of the rioters involved in the assault on the Capitol.
At the time of his arrest, Williams had not entered a plea to the felony charges and did not yet have an attorney listed. His case is part of the broader ongoing prosecution by the Justice Department, which continues to pursue legal action against those involved in the January 6 insurrection.
Despite former President Donald Trump’s public statements about potentially issuing pardons for individuals involved in the Capitol attack once he returns to office, the Justice Department has been firm in its commitment to prosecuting the rioters, with many cases proceeding without delay. In recent weeks, judges have consistently denied motions from January 6 defendants who have sought to postpone their cases in anticipation of potential pardons.
Williams’ arrest and the charges he faces reflect the ongoing legal repercussions for those who participated in the Capitol riot. It also serves as a reminder that the government remains resolute in holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of political developments or potential shifts in power.