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Leander Antwione Williams (left) at U.S. Capitol (Court file photo)
Former Detroit Lions linebacker Leander Antwione Williams was arrested Thursday in Georgia for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot that include allegations that he assaulted U.S. Capitol and D.C. Police.
Williams, 31, played for the Lions in 2016 before moving on to other teams and finishing his NFL career in 2019 with the Carolina Panthers.
An FBI affidavit accuses him of seven crimes, including assaulting, resisting or impeding officers and civil disorder.
According to the affidavit, Williams is accused of being one of the first rioters to breach the restricted police perimeter near Peace Monument.
He then continued east and made his way to the West Plaza.
"Once there, Williams pressed with other rioters as members of the Capitol Police attempted to form impromptu lines to prevent entry," the affidavit said. "The rioters pressed the officers back to the Southwest Stairs leading to the West Terrace before members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived and began pushing the crowd off the West Plaza."
As MPD made progress, the officers would reenforce the line with metal bike racks. At approximately 1:13 p.m., Williams attempted to take a bike rack from an officer who was clearing the West Plaza.
At one point, at around 1:40 p.m., Williams grabbed the bike barricade and pulled it backwards, away from the police line.
D.C. Police officers attempted to push away Williams, who responded by bringing "his hand and arm down forcefully on MPD Officer B.T.’s head," the affidavit said. "Other officers eventually pushed Williams off Officer B.T. and back down the steps."
Williams didn't give up.
He returned to the crowd, and around 2:09 p.m., pushed along with fellow rioters against the bike rack line. This time officer held the line.
About 18 minutes later, Williams returned to the line of officers.
"At this point officers no longer had the benefit of the bike rack separating them from the rioters. Williams grabbed and pushed two officers, one from the United States Capitol Police and one from the Metropolitan Police."
He remained on the Capitol grounds until the evening, the affidavit said.
