A former Detroit Lions player was arrested Thursday in connection with the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol in 2021, according to a federal complaint.
Antwione Williams, 31, was charged with one count assaulting an officer, three counts of civil disorder, one count of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, two counts of disorderly conduct, four counts of engaging in violence in a restricted building or grounds, two counts of disorderly conduct at a capitol building, two counts of physical violence in the capitol grounds or building.
Williams was in the initial mob group trying to breach the Capitol, according to federal prosecutors.
Find out what's happening in Detroitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In the attack, Williams assaulted officers and tried to break down bike racks and barricades that tried to keep rioters from getting inside the Capitol building, according to federal prosecutors.
Prosecutors identified Williams by comparing his social media photos to photos of his involvement in the Jan. 6 riots, according to the federal complaint.
Find out what's happening in Detroitwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Prosecutors pointed to his Instagram account where he is seen wearing a New Era Golf Hat, which is the same hat he was wearing on Jan. 6, according to the federal complaint.
Prosecutors also pointed to social media photos of Williams wearing a set of keys on his right hip, including a red key fob used for Chevrolet model cars, including Camaros from 2016 and later, according to the federal complaint.
Photos of the Jan.6 riot showed Williams wearing that same red key fob during the attack, according to the federal complaint.
Officers then arrested Williams in connection with the Jan. 6 riots in Savannah, Georgia on Thursday, according to federal prosecutors.
Williams is the first person charged in connection with the Jan. 6 riots since Donald Trump won the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.
Trump has said that he would issue pardons or commute sentences of the rioters.
Williams was drafted by the Lions in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and played just one season for the team. He played in 14 games at the linebacker position during his rookie campaign and accumulated 12 tackles.
He went on to play for several other teams after the Lions.
