The woman accused by a former romantic partner of stealing Nancy Pelosi’s laptop during the Capitol riot and reportedly planning to sell it to Russia he was ordered to be released from prison under supervision on Thursday. Riley Williams’ lawyer told the court that some of the charges against his client are “exaggerated”, and said the ex-boyfriend who reported Williams to the FBI was abusive.
Williams handed over to the authorities in Pennsylvania on Monday, after her ex called the FBI several times to report seeing her on video inside the Capitol, according to court documents.
She is facing charges of “Helping others to divert, steal, steal”, “obstruct, influence or impede any official process”, “Intentionally entering or staying in any restricted building or land without legal authority” and “Violent entry and disorderly conduct in the Capitol Grounds, “according to the Department of Justice.
None of the charges are related to the allegation that she planned to sell the laptop to Russia – an action that court documents say “remains under investigation”.
FBI
Judge Martin Carlson, a United States magistrate, told Williams that he was releasing her because she had no criminal record – but warned her and her mother that she could be charged criminally if she did not meet the supervision requirements. Williams ‘supervised release conditions include restricted travel for all purposes except criminal prosecution, confinement at home with an ankle monitor, and Williams’ mother serving as a third-party caretaker.
Carlson called Williams’ alleged actions “antithetical” to constitutional values. “The Constitution prevails here today,” he said. “And the Constitution will always prevail in this country.”
According to an amended criminal complaint on Tuesday, Williams’ former partner shared video clips with investigators who they said were recorded or broadcast live by Williams during the rebellion. The complaint said that, in a video, a woman believed to be Williams can be heard saying to a man “Dude, put your gloves on” before touching an HP laptop on a wooden table. The complaint said that Capitol Police confirmed that the video was taken inside Pelosi’s office and that an HP laptop was stolen from the office that day.
Williams’ lawyer said during the hearing that his client was “vilified”, and said that some of the allegations based on his former partner’s allegations were “exaggerated”. She did not specify which claims were exaggerated.
The lawyer also said that Williams never hid from the authorities and instead ran away from the abusive boyfriend who reported her to the FBI. She said her ex-boyfriend “threatened Williams in a number of ways” but gave no further details.
Williams will appear in court for a preliminary hearing on January 25.