Riley Williams
Riley June Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1998 (age 27–28) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, US |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Alma mater | Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School |
| Known for | Participation in January 6 United States Capitol attack |
| Criminal penalty | 36 months in prison |
| Criminal status | Released (presidential pardon) |
| Parents |
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Riley June Williams is an American woman who participated in the January 6 United States Capitol attack in 2021. Williams entered the Capitol and stole a government-issued laptop and a gavel belonging to former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi's deputy chief of staff said the laptop was used for presentations. Williams is considered to be a fan of Nick Fuentes, a far-right political activist; she also expressed far-right white supremacist views on social media. Her crimes made national headlines.
Williams bragged about her crime on a Discord server and discussed her plan to sell the laptop to Russian foreign intelligence services. The server was reportedly affiliated with CVLT, a child exploitation organization. She was arrested by federal authorities on January 18, 2021, and charged with disorderly conduct and violent entry. On March 21, 2023, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson found Williams guilty and sentenced her to 36 months in prison. Her release was scheduled for March 14, 2025, but she was released on January 20, 2025, after being pardoned by Donald Trump. The stolen laptop has not been recovered, and her lawyer continues to defend her and say she did not steal anything.