Leander Antwione Williams, 31, from Savannah, Georgia, has been charged with felony offenses following his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, Williams faces charges of resisting, assaulting, and impeding law enforcement officers. He is also facing multiple misdemeanor charges, including disorderly conduct inside the Capitol building, engaging in physical violence on Capitol grounds, and unlawfully entering and remaining in a restricted area. These charges stem from his actions during the riot, which resulted in violent confrontations with police officers.
Williams was arrested by the FBI in Savannah on Thursday and is set to make his initial court appearance in the Southern District of Georgia. Prosecutors allege that Williams was among the first groups of rioters to breach the restricted perimeter of the Capitol grounds. Court records reveal that Williams confronted and overpowered law enforcement officers who were stationed along the Capitol’s perimeter, escalating the situation as the riot unfolded. His actions are part of the broader wave of criminal behavior associated with the violent attack on the Capitol.
The former NFL player, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, is accused of attacking Capitol Police officers during the chaotic events. According to court documents, Williams allegedly attempted to seize a bike rack from an officer who was working to clear the plaza. As the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) attempted to control the crowd, Williams is said to have lunged at an officer, swatting at the officer’s hand as he deployed pepper spray to prevent the rioters from advancing.
Williams’ violent resistance continued as he allegedly grabbed a barricade, prompting MPD officers to attempt to push him back. During this altercation, Williams is accused of striking one officer on the head with a forceful arm motion. The FBI later identified him in photos from the riot as “AFO-419,” a designation for individuals charged with assaulting federal officers. His involvement in the riot has now led to serious criminal charges and potential consequences.
Since the January 6th insurrection, over 1,560 individuals have been charged in connection with the attack on the Capitol. Of those charged, more than 590 face felony charges related to assaulting or impeding law enforcement officers. Williams is now part of this group of individuals facing legal repercussions for their involvement in the violent storming of the U.S. Capitol, which resulted in widespread chaos and violence across the nation’s seat of government.
