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A Pennsylvania woman facing federal charges related to the theft of a laptop from Nancy Pelosi’s office during the violent siege of the U.S. Capitol will be released from jail, a federal judge decided Thursday.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin Carlson released Riley June Williams into the custody of her mother and placed travel restrictions on her until a court appearance in Washington, D.C. on Monday.
Williams, 22, of Harrisburg, Penn., faces five charges including violent entry and disorderly conduct on the Capitol grounds. She had no criminal record prior to the attacks on January 6.
The FBI says a former boyfriend of Williams tipped them off and claimed she was hoping to sell the computer to Russian intelligence. Williams’ defense lawyer, Lori Ulrich, told Carlson the tipster was abusive to Williams in the past and that “his accusations are overstated.”
“It is regrettable that Ms. Williams took the president’s bait and went inside the Capitol,” Ulrich also told the judge.
Williams surrendered to federal authorities to face charges. She was expected to leave a county jail in Harrisburg on Thursday, but will be electronically monitored while she await trial.
The FBI affidavit made reference to a video shot by Williams that shows an HP laptop being taken from a table in the Speaker’s office.
Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff, Drew Hammill, told AP news the laptop was used only for presentations was taken from a conference room. The current location of the computer has not been disclosed in court documents, and was not discussed in court on Thursday.
