Ex-NFL player Antwione Williams charged over January 6 involvement
Antwione Williams, a 2016 late-round draft pick by the Detroit Lions, was arrested Thursday in Georgia and charged with a series of crimes stemming from his involvement in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, when supporters of former President Donald Trump attempted to prevent the certification of the 2020 presidential election.
Court records indicate FBI agents arrested Williams on Thursday in Savannah, Georgia. He faces seven criminal charges, including assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer, engaging in physical violence in a restricted area and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
A defense attorney for Williams was not listed in online court records. His case was assigned to U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhyaya in Washington District Court. An arraignment has not been set, according to court records.
A 15-page complaint filed by federal prosecutors states Williams pushed through barricades and was among those pushing Capitol Police officers back as they attempted to enter the Capitol. Prosecutors allege Williams attempted to take a bicycle rack from an officer and struck the officer before police pushed Williams away.
"... (Police) continued to push the crowd away from the Capitol. Williams lunged at an officer and swatted at the officer’s hand. The officer was deploying spray to prevent rioters from taking one of the bike racks," the complaint states.
"Williams moved forward and grabbed the barricade, this time with both hands, and pulled it backwards and away from the police line," the complaint continued. "MPD officers attempted to push Williams away, and in response, Williams jumped up and brought his hand and arm down forcefully on MPD Officer B.T.’s head. Other officers eventually pushed Williams off Officer B.T. and back down the steps."
Williams was the Lions' fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft out of Georgia Southern. He was selected by former general manager Bob Quinn. Williams appeared in 14 games as a Lion, including three starts, at linebacker in 2016. He recorded 27 tackles and had one forced fumble. He was primarily a reserve for the Lions and made spot starts due to injuries in front of him.
The Lions waived Williams ahead of the 2017 season. He later played for the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers as a practice squad player until 2019.
Federal prosecutors have charged more than 1,500 individuals with crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, riots, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. More than 1,000 individuals have pleaded guilty to or been convicted of penalties stemming from the event.
During his presidential campaign, Trump said those charged in connection to the riots were being treated unfairly and said he would consider presidential pardons for them.