In raising the case against Williams, prosecutors are indicating that they believe she is to blame for the theft of a laptop from Pelosi’s office, despite conflicting indications from other protesters and social media posts. Pelosi’s aides say the laptop was used only for presentations.
The impending new charges are an indication of prosecutors’ swift efforts to build up some of the swift initial charges they filed against Capitol rioters. FBI and Justice Department officials indicated that they had set up quick cases to arrest some of the rebels and participants in the riots and intended to add more serious charges over time.
A hearing on whether Williams should be detained pending trial is scheduled for Thursday. Williams’ lawyer Lori Ulrich protested the delay, noting that his client has been in prison since Monday.
According to the initial case against Williams, a former romantic partner who spoke to authorities said he saw a video of Williams “picking up a laptop or hard drive from Mayor Pelosi’s office”.
“[Witness 1] stated that WILLIAMS intended to send the computer device to a friend in Russia, who then planned to sell the device to SVR, Russia’s foreign intelligence service, “noted the agent.” [Witness 1], the transfer of the computer device to Russia failed for unknown reasons and WILLIAMS still has the computer device or destroyed it. “
“This matter is still under investigation,” concluded the agent.
For now, Williams is facing charges of entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct for his actions within the Capitol.
The agent in charge of the Williams case also spoke to police officers in Harrisburg who recently interacted with Williams’ parents. Williams’ mother on January 11 filed a suspicious persons report against the person the FBI identified as “Witness 1”. This witness is described as the suspect’s former romantic partner.
While the local police officers were present, Williams’ mother called her via video and the police saw her wearing a brown jacket that matched the one she was seen wearing in the images of the January 6 riots. Harrisburg officials also spoke to Williams’ father, who said he drove her to Washington for the protests, but that they separated during the day while she joined other friends.
The pair returned home from Washington after being outside the Capitol.