Former NFL player Antwoine Williams has been charged with violence in the Capitol

The former professional American football player was indicted in connection with the riots at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Antwoine Williams faces charges of public nuisance and assault, resisting or obstructing police, as well as several counts of disorderly conduct.

He was indicted on November 7, in what is reported to be the first indictment related to the riots at the Capitol since Donald Trump won the presidential election.

Mr. Williams, a defensive lineman from Georgia, was a college star at Georgia Southern University before being drafted by the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.

He played one season in 2016 before being released by the Lions and had brief stints with other NFL teams.

According to court documents, Mr Williams, 31, appeared in videos of the violence at the Capitol, where thousands of pro-Trump activists stormed the building after his 2020 election loss, pulled down barriers and hit a police officer in the head, struggling. and other officials.

Prosecutors say he stayed on the Capitol grounds until late on January 6.

He has been identified with a golf hat and a distinctive key ring he was wearing during the rampage similar to other online images of Mr Williams.

Online volunteers known as “scavengers,” use online videos and photos to hunt down rioters, identify the type of hat and name Mr Williams “RiotingGolfer”.

More than 1,500 people have been arrested in connection with the riot, when a crowd of Donald Trump supporters stormed the US Congress building in an effort to stop the ratification of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.

Donald Trump has promised that he will pardon some protesters, although he has not specified what methods he will use to do this.

A number of those convicted or accused of treason have asked that their trials or sentencing hearings be postponed because Trump’s promise could affect their cases. On Thursday, two judges delayed the hearing, but other judges rejected similar requests.

The FBI is still looking to identify dozens of other suspects who were at the Capitol that day.