A Texas man will serve nearly two years in prison for his role in the Jan. 6 riot, during which he fought with cops and remained inside the U.S. Capitol grounds for about two hours as they prevented Congress from certifying the 2020 Presidential election results.
Dustin Ray Williams, 33, was sentenced to 22 months in prison and three years probation by U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell on Friday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. On July 11, Williams pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers.
FBI agents received a tip in the days following the riot when Williams posted a video on Facebook describing the “TRUTH” about the riots, according to a criminal complaint. He claimed he had not committed any violence or vandalism.
He described the rally, at which then-President Donald Trump told his supporters lies about a stolen election, as peaceful. Williams then promoted the debunked claim that the riot was “a sophisticated, orchestrated infiltration conducted by Antifa and funded by the ‘Swamp.'”
However, video from the Capitol clearly showed that Williams had rioted.
According to the feds, Williams was wearing a bright orange construction shirt with the name of a Colorado business with which he had previously done business. The shirt had the business’s name and phone number on the back, so the owner reportedly received a slew of angry and threatening phone calls.
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According to the complaint, the video showed Williams shoving and grabbing police officers and their shields for approximately 25 seconds before being pepper sprayed. Cell phone footage also showed Williams “threateningly” shouting at cops, “You shot an unarmed person,” and “There’s a lot more coming, motherf—ers,” according to feds.
Agents also reported that he was confronting people attempting to break through windows to enter the building. In his sentencing memorandum, Williams stated that he “truly regrets” his involvement in the riot and had never been arrested prior to the incident. He also did not commit a “violent assault” that required significant incarceration.
“Mr. Williams traveled to Washington, D.C., as many thousands of others did, to show political support,” his lawyer, Kyle Wackenheim, wrote. “There is no evidence that Mr. Williams traveled with the intent to disrupt the certification process or cause havoc.
He arrived in plain clothes and did not carry a flag. Unlike many others, Mr. Williams did not arrive with protective equipment such as padding, helmets, goggles, a backpack, or body armor. He did not have a radio or pepper/bear spray.
Police arrested Williams on August 1, 2023. So far, over 1,500 people have been charged in the riot, including 600 who, like Williams, assaulted police officers.
Those with pending cases have asked for hearings to be postponed, as Trump, who is set to begin his second term in January, has indicated that he may pardon the defendants.
