Dustin Ray Williams, Jan. 6 Capitol Brawl, Austin TX, 2024

Dallas, TX – Dustin Ray Williams, 32, of Brady, Texas, is cooling his heels in a federal holding cell after being arrested August 1st for his role in the January 6th, 2021, Capitol riot. Williams isn’t accused of simply being present; the feds say he actively engaged in a physical assault on U.S. Capitol Police officers defending the West Front of the building. He’s facing serious time if convicted.

The charges are stacked: a felony count of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, plus multiple misdemeanor offenses. These include entering restricted grounds, violent conduct within those grounds, and general disorderly behavior inside the Capitol. Court documents detail how Williams pushed, shoved, and even grabbed an officer’s arm during the chaotic scene. Pepper spray wasn’t enough to deter him, the feds allege, he continued his aggressive actions for over two hours before moving to the Lower West Terrace.

The arrest is the result of a painstaking investigation, piecing together video footage and identifying individuals within the massive crowd that stormed the Capitol. The FBI initially flagged Williams as “BOLO #520” – “Be On the Look Out” – using photos circulated to law enforcement agencies. Agents from the FBI’s San Antonio, Washington, and Dallas Field Offices, along with the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department, all contributed to building the case against him.

Federal prosecutors in the District of Columbia are leading the charge, with assistance from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Northern and Western Districts of Texas also pitched in, highlighting the widespread effort to hold those responsible for the January 6th attack accountable. This wasn’t a spontaneous outburst; it was a coordinated attempt to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election, and the feds are determined to see every instigator face the consequences.

Williams’ initial appearance is scheduled in the Northern District of Texas, but this case will ultimately be prosecuted in Washington D.C. His arrest brings the total number of arrests related to the Capitol breach to over 1,069, spanning nearly all 50 states. A staggering 350+ individuals have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement – a clear indication of the violence that unfolded that day. This isn’t over.

The investigation remains very much active. The feds are still sifting through evidence, tracking down leads, and making arrests. Anyone with information related to the January 6th Capitol breach is urged to contact the FBI. This case, like so many others, serves as a grim reminder that actions have consequences, and those who attempt to undermine the foundations of democracy will be held accountable – eventually.

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