Pennsylvania Woman Linked to Far-Right Extremist Movement Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Capitol Riot
On Thursday, Riley June Williams, a 23-year-old woman from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted on six charges, including a felony count of civil disorder, for her involvement in the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Williams had invaded House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office with other rioters, but was charged but not convicted of helping steal a laptop from Pelosi’s office suite.
Williams was also linked to the far-right extremist “Groyper” movement led by internet personality Nick Fuentes, according to prosecutors. They said that Williams was “obsessed” with Fuentes and fixated on baseless claims — amplified by Fuentes — that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Donald Trump.
Williams wore a green “I’m with Groyper” T-shirt when she traveled to Washington, D.C., with her father and his friends on January 6. They attended Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally before heading to the Capitol. Williams entered the building through the Senate Wing Door two minutes after other rioters breached the entrance.
Prosecutors described Williams’ actions as exacerbating the mayhem, stating in a court filing, “Everywhere she went, Williams acted as an accelerant, exacerbating the mayhem. Where others turned back, she pushed forward.” Defense lawyers requested a term of imprisonment of one year and one day for Williams, citing her age, lack of prior criminal record, and being caught up in the moment with the mob.
Williams was sentenced to three years of supervised release after her prison term and ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. She was also accused of destroying evidence before her arrest, deleting her social media accounts, resetting her iPhone, and using software to wipe her computer.
Williams is among approximately 1,000 people who have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot, with over 400 having been sentenced.
