WASHINGTON, D.C. — A former NFL linebacker who once played for the Detroit Lions has been charged with multiple felonies related to assaults on law enforcement officers during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to court records.
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Leander Antwione Williams, 31, was arrested on Thursday, marking what appears to be the first newly filed Capitol breach case by federal prosecutors since Election Day 2024.
Williams faces charges of assaulting officers, civil disorder, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, according to a criminal complaint unsealed following his arrest in Savannah, Georgia.
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Career and Allegations
Williams, a fifth-round draft pick for the Detroit Lions in 2016, also played as a linebacker for the XFL’s DC Defenders, according to public reports.
Federal prosecutors allege that Williams participated in violent skirmishes with police officers defending the Capitol during the riot. According to the complaint:
- Incident 1: Williams was seen on police body camera footage pulling bike racks away from a police line before striking an officer on the head.
- Incident 2: Another video captured Williams grabbing and pulling against two officers attempting to push him back.
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FBI Investigation
Williams was identified through a combination of tips submitted to the FBI starting in December 2022. Investigators confirmed his identity using a key fob visible on his belt loop during the riot, which matched images from his social media profiles, the complaint states.
Legal Proceedings
As of Thursday, Williams had not entered a plea to the charges and did not have legal representation listed in court filings.
His arrest underscores the Justice Department’s ongoing commitment to prosecuting individuals involved in assaults on law enforcement during the January 6 Capitol breach.
Political Implications
The charges against Williams come amid former President Donald Trump’s public promises to pardon or commute sentences for January 6 defendants if he takes office in January.
In recent weeks, prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia have opposed multiple motions from January 6 defendants seeking case delays in anticipation of potential pardons. Judges have generally denied these requests, underscoring the judiciary’s independence in handling cases tied to the Capitol riot.
Williams’ arrest and prosecution signal that accountability for the January 6 attack remains a priority for federal authorities, regardless of political developments.
