Texas Man Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

            WASHINGTON – A Texas man has been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

            Dustin Ray Williams, 32, of Brady, Texas, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. In addition to the felony, Saturday is charged with several misdemeanor offenses, 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, violent conduct in a Capitol building or grounds.

            Williams was arrested on Aug. 1, 2023, in Dallas and will make his initial appearance today in the Northern District of Texas.

            According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Williams entered and remained inside the restricted perimeter of the U.S. Capitol grounds beginning at least 1:03 p.m. At that time, Williams approached a line of United States Capitol Police (USCP) officers defending the West Front of the Capitol building and shoved and pushed the officers, initially by placing his hands on their shields.

            Court documents say that video footage taken from that day captures approximately 25 seconds of Williams’ aggressive contact with the law enforcement officers. The video footage also depicts Williams sprayed with pepper spray by a police officer, continuing to push and shove officers, and grabbing the arm of an officer. Court documents say that Williams remained near the West Front for over two hours before heading to the Lower West Terrace.

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

            This case is being investigated by the FBI’s San Antonio and Washington Field Offices, which identified Williams as BOLO (“Be On the Look Out”) #520 on its seeking information photos.

            Valuable assistance was provided by the FBI Dallas Field Office, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In the 30 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

           Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.