Former Georgia Southern football player arrested on Jan. 6 riot charges

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Body-worn camera showing suspect struggling against police. (US Attorney’s Office)

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A former Detroit Lion and Georgia Southern University football player is set to go to trial this week on charges related to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Leander Antwione Williams, 31, was arrested by the FBI in Savannah on November 14.

He is charged with assaulting, resisting, or obstructing certain officers and obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder (both felonies) as well as multiple misdemeanors.

Williams was among the group of rioters who breached the restricted perimeter of the Capitol Grounds near the Pennsylvania Walkway, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Still from open source video showing pressure on officers around 2:09 p.m. (U.S. Attorney’s Office)

Authorities said Williams tried to take the bicycle rack of a police officer who was working to clear the Capitol’s West Plaza and then attacked another officer.

Body camera footage reportedly showed Williams again approaching police barricades 25 minutes later and grabbing her to remove her. When officers tried to pull him away, authorities said he resisted and struck an officer in the head.

Shortly thereafter, authorities said, Williams joined the rioters and authorities captured two police officers to try to disrupt the defensive formation.

Investigators say the man known as “#RiotingGolfer” was identified by the keychain and hat he allegedly wore during the riot.

Williams played at Georgia Southern from 2011 to 2015 before completing one season with the Detroit Lions.

He is scheduled to appear in federal court on Thursday.