A Texas man, Dustin Ray Williams, has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges for his involvement in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Williams is accused of obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder and committing various other offenses, such as entering and remaining in restricted areas and engaging in violent conduct. He was arrested on August 1, 2023, in Dallas and will have his initial appearance in the Northern District of Texas. The investigation into the Capitol breach, which has resulted in over 1,069 arrests across the country, including 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, is still ongoing.
Texas Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
Background Information
In a significant development related to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, a Texas man has been arrested on both felony and misdemeanor charges. The breach, which occurred on Jan. 6, 2021, saw the entry of individuals into the U.S. Capitol with the intent to disrupt the joint session of the U.S. Congress. The session was convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election. The arrest of Dustin Ray Williams, a 32-year-old resident of Brady, Texas, sheds light on the ongoing investigation into the events that unfolded that day.
Charges and Arrest
Williams has been charged with a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. Additionally, he faces several misdemeanor charges, including knowingly entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, violent conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and violent conduct in a Capitol building or grounds.
Williams was arrested on Aug. 1, 2023, in Dallas and will be making his initial appearance in the Northern District of Texas.
Incident Details
According to court documents, Williams was present inside the restricted perimeter of the U.S. Capitol grounds on Jan. 6, 2021, starting from at least 1:03 p.m. During this time, he approached a line of United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers defending the West Front of the Capitol building and physically assaulted them by shoving and pushing them. Video footage captured approximately 25 seconds of Williams’ aggressive contact with the law enforcement officers, including the moment when he was sprayed with pepper spray by a police officer. Despite this, Williams continued to engage in violent conduct by pushing and shoving the officers and even grabbing one officer’s arm. He remained near the West Front for over two hours before eventually moving to the Lower West Terrace.
Prosecution and Investigation
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is leading the prosecution of this case, along with assistance from the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The investigation has seen valuable cooperation from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western and Northern Districts of Texas. Additionally, the FBI’s San Antonio and Washington Field Offices played a crucial role in identifying Williams as BOLO (“Be On the Look Out”) #520 through their seeking information photos.
The FBI Dallas Field Office, U.S. Capitol Police, and Metropolitan Police Department have also provided valuable assistance in the investigation.
Number of Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
Since Jan. 6, 2021, there have been over 1,069 arrests made across nearly all 50 states in connection with crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol. Among these individuals, more than 350 have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol breach remains ongoing.
Background Information
The Jan. 6 Capitol breach was a major incident that occurred when a mob of individuals forced their way into the U.S. Capitol, disrupting the joint session of Congress. The session, meant to certify the electoral votes related to the presidential election, was halted and lawmakers had to be evacuated for their safety.
Purpose of the Article
This article aims to provide comprehensive information on the recent arrest of a Texas man on felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. By outlining the charges, incident details, and ongoing investigation, the article seeks to shed light on the legal and investigative processes.
Overview of Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
The Jan. 6 Capitol breach refers to the unauthorized entry and disruption of the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. The breach was carried out by a mob of individuals who aimed to disrupt the joint session of Congress, where the electoral votes related to the presidential election were being certified. The breach led to the evacuation of lawmakers and widespread condemnation for its impact on the democratic process.
Felony Offense of Obstruction of Law Enforcement during Civil Disorder
Dustin Ray Williams has been charged with a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. This charge stems from his actions of physically assaulting law enforcement officers by shoving and pushing them during the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. Obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder is a serious offense that carries severe legal consequences.
Misdemeanor Offenses
Besides the felony offense, Williams also faces several misdemeanor charges for his actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. These charges include knowingly entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, violent conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building or grounds, and violent conduct in a Capitol building or grounds. Misdemeanor offenses are criminal offenses that carry lesser penalties than felonies, but they still have significant legal ramifications.
Description of Williams’ Actions
According to court documents, Williams’ actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol breach involved physically assaulting law enforcement officers. He approached a line of USCP officers defending the West Front of the Capitol building and shoved and pushed them. Williams initially placed his hands on the officers’ shields and continued to engage in aggressive behavior even after being pepper-sprayed by a police officer. He repeatedly pushed and shoved the officers, and at one point, grabbed an officer’s arm. Williams’ actions were captured in video footage, which serves as evidence against him.
Video Footage Evidence
Video footage taken during the Jan. 6 Capitol breach plays a crucial role in documenting the events that unfolded and identifying the individuals involved. In the case of Dustin Ray Williams, the video footage reveals approximately 25 seconds of his aggressive contact with law enforcement officers. The footage shows Williams shoving and pushing the officers, as well as being sprayed with pepper spray by a police officer. This evidence strengthens the case against Williams and contributes to the ongoing investigation.
Timeline of Williams’ Presence at the Capitol
Court documents indicate that Williams entered the restricted perimeter of the U.S. Capitol grounds at least by 1:03 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2021. He remained near the West Front of the Capitol building engaging in violent conduct with law enforcement officers for over two hours before eventually moving to the Lower West Terrace. The timeline of his presence at the Capitol provides a sequence of events that highlights the extent of his involvement in the breach.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is responsible for prosecuting the case against Dustin Ray Williams. As the primary federal prosecuting authority in the District of Columbia, the office handles a wide range of criminal cases, including those related to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. Their role is to ensure that justice is served and that individuals responsible for criminal acts are held accountable.
Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section
The Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section is partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia to prosecute the case against Williams. The Counterterrorism Section focuses on enforcing laws related to national security, including cases involving domestic terrorism. Their expertise and resources contribute to the effective prosecution of individuals involved in acts of violence and civil disorder.
Assistance from U.S. Attorney’s Offices for Texas, Northern and Western Districts
The U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the Western and Northern Districts of Texas have provided valuable assistance in the investigation and prosecution of Dustin Ray Williams. Cooperation among different U.S. Attorney’s Offices is essential in cases that span across multiple jurisdictions. The involvement of these offices strengthens the overall legal effort and ensures comprehensive handling of the case.
FBI’s San Antonio and Washington Field Offices
The FBI’s San Antonio and Washington Field Offices have played a vital role in the investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. In the case of Dustin Ray Williams, they were instrumental in identifying him as BOLO #520 through their seeking information photos. The FBI’s investigative capabilities and nationwide presence make them an indispensable partner in cases involving threats to national security and acts of domestic terrorism.
Identification of Williams as BOLO #520
Through the collaborative efforts of the FBI’s San Antonio and Washington Field Offices, Dustin Ray Williams was identified as BOLO #520. BOLO, or “Be On the Look Out,” is a law enforcement term used to alert personnel to be vigilant and attentive to individuals of interest. The identification of Williams as BOLO #520 demonstrates the effectiveness of investigative techniques and the importance of public cooperation in providing information to law enforcement agencies.
Assistance from FBI Dallas Field Office, U.S. Capitol Police, and Metropolitan Police Department
The FBI Dallas Field Office, U.S. Capitol Police, and Metropolitan Police Department have all provided valuable assistance in the investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, including the case against Dustin Ray Williams. Collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies is crucial in handling complex cases that involve multiple jurisdictions. The combined efforts of these agencies contribute to a comprehensive investigation and prosecution process.
Statistics on Arrests Since Jan. 6, 2021
Since Jan. 6, 2021, over 1,069 individuals have been arrested in connection with the breach of the U.S. Capitol. These arrests have taken place across nearly all 50 states, showcasing the nationwide impact of the events that unfolded that day. Among those arrested, more than 350 individuals have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. These statistics illustrate the scale of the ongoing investigation and the commitment to holding accountable those responsible for acts of violence and civil disorder.
Charges Related to Assaulting or Impeding Law Enforcement
A significant portion of the arrests made in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol breach involves charges related to assaulting or impeding law enforcement. Over 350 individuals have faced these charges, highlighting the impact of their actions on the safety and security of law enforcement officers. Assaulting or impeding law enforcement is a serious offense that undermines the rule of law and poses a threat to public safety.
Continuing Investigation
The investigation into the Jan. 6 Capitol breach remains ongoing. As new evidence is gathered and individuals are identified, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors continue their efforts to ensure that all those responsible for criminal acts are held accountable. The continuing investigation reflects the commitment to upholding the principles of justice and the pursuit of truth in uncovering the events of that fateful day.
Reporting Tips
The public’s cooperation is crucial in assisting law enforcement agencies in their ongoing investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. Anyone with information or tips related to the events of that day is encouraged to report them to the FBI. Reporting tips can be done by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visiting tips.fbi.gov. By providing information, individuals can contribute to the pursuit of justice and the resolution of this significant case.
In conclusion, the arrest of Dustin Ray Williams on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his actions during the Jan. 6 Capitol breach marks an important development in the ongoing investigation. This comprehensive article has provided background information, detailed the charges and arrest, delved into the incident details, explored the prosecution and investigation process, and highlighted the scale of the arrests made so far. As the investigation continues, it is crucial to remember the commitment to justice and the collective responsibility to safeguard the democratic process.