Former Detroit Lions linebacker charged with assaulting officers during January 6 riot

Former Detroit Lions linebacker Antwione Williams on Thursday was arrested and charged in Georgia for assaulting police officers during the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill.

Williams, who played for the Lions during the 2016 season, was arrested in Savannah and charged with felony charges for assaulting, impeding, and resisting officers, and obstruction of law enforcement, the Justice Department announced.

He was also charged with three misdemeanors over illegally entering the Capitol, disorderly conduct, and acts of physical violence.

Prosecutors claimed they identified Williams after a fan allegedly sent a tip to the FBI on social media, after the bureau released photos of suspects they were still trying to identify, according to NBC News.  They also noted during an interview with Williams in 2023 that he had a red key fob that was similar to one the suspect had during the riot.

Williams was further suspected after the FBI reviewed credit card statements that allegedly showed the former NFL player made a payment at a parking near a Washington metro station on the day of the riot. 

The case comes shortly after President-elect Donald Trump won reelection to a second, non-consecutive term. A wave of January 6 defendants have sought to delay their cases after Trump's victory, in hopes that the former president will pardon them. More than 1,561 people have been charged in connection with the riot.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.