Evergreen Reporter

A Texas man pleaded guilty to multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and those of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

Dustin Ray Williams, 33, of Brady, Texas, pleaded guilty to two felony charges of civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. In addition to the felonies, Williams pleaded guilty to five misdemeanors: knowingly entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building or grounds; and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell will sentence Williams on Oct. 25, 2024.

According to court documents, Williams traveled to Washington, D.C., and attended former President Trump’s rally on Jan. 6, 2021, at the Ellipse. After the rally, Williams walked toward the U.S. Capitol grounds and entered the restricted area by approximately 1:03 p.m. He then walked behind a crowd of rioters along the West Plaza past the media tower towards the south side of the plaza where United States Capitol Police (USCP) and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers stood in a defensive police line.

Williams waded through the mob to confront the line of officers and forcibly shoved multiple officers for about 25-30 seconds, making direct physical contact. During this assault, police officers attempted to defend themselves from Williams and other rioters but he continued grappling with them and grabbed their arms and riot shields. Eventually hit with pepper spray, Williams temporarily withdrew from the front line.

Shortly after clashing with officers again near the police line surrounded by thousands of rioters, he shouted threateningly: “There’s a lot more coming.” While still on the West Plaza, Williams made a selfie video posted on Facebook describing that he had been “pepper sprayed” and “tear gassed.”

Williams did not leave but remained within the restricted area for approximately two additional hours as police retreated up to Lower West Terrace through a tunnel leading into the Capitol building. He followed along with other rioters ascending from West Plaza to Lower West Terrace where he stayed just outside Tunnel entrance.

The FBI arrested Williams on Aug. 1, 2023 in Dallas.

This case is being prosecuted by U.S Attorney’s Office for District Columbia Department Justice National Security Division Counterterrorism Section Valuable assistance provided by U.S Attorney’s Offices Western Northern Districts Texas

This case is being investigated by FBI San Antonio Washington Field Offices identified Williams BOLO (“Be On Look Out”) #520 seeking information photos Valuable assistance provided by FBI Dallas Field Office US Capitol Police Metropolitan Police Department

In last 42 months since Jan., more than individuals charged nearly all states crimes related breach US Capitol including more than individuals charged assaulting impeding law enforcement felony investigation remains ongoing

Anyone tips call CALL-FBI visit tips.fbi.gov

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