Prosecutors want to ban Capitol rioter who 'stole Pelosi's laptop' from using the internet because she is 'encouraging people to destroy evidence' related to insurrection
Riley Williams, one of the Capitol rioters who is accused of stealing Nancy Pelosi's laptop, is facing a potential ban on internet access after allegedly attempting to destroy evidence.
Riley Williams, 22, is accused of taking part in the Capitol riot and stealing Nancy Pelosi's laptop
Williams, 22, was arrested a week ago in Central Pennsylvania, according to the Justice Department.
She was seen in a video on January 6 guiding some of the rioters to Nancy Pelosi's office, where she allegedly stole the House Speaker's laptop.
Federal prosecutors claimed Williams told her ex-boyfriend she would sell it to someone in Russia, who would then send it to the Foreign Intelligence Service in Russia.
Now, Scott MacFarlane of NBC 4 is reporting that her internet access is in danger of being restricted due to her actions since she was released on bail last week.
'NEW: US Justice Dept tells judge Riley Williams, woman accused of stealing computer from Nancy Pelosi's office, is suspected of using internet in recent days, encouraging people to destroy evidence in Capitol insurrection case. They want judge to prohibit internet access,' MacFarlane tweeted on Monday afternoon.
It's unclear what evidence Williams is allegedly trying to destroy or encouraging others to destroy.
Williams has been out on bail since Thursday and is confined to her mom's apartment
Williams, seen leaving the Dauphin County Prison on Thursday with attorney Bryan McQuillan, allegedly wanted to sell Pelosi's laptop to the Russians
But one reporter says her internet access could be in danger after she allegedly encouraged the deleting of evidence related to the insurrection at the Capitol
Williams was granted bail on Thursday and instructed to stay on the ground floor of her mother's apartment, outside of work, church, doctor, and court appointments.
Williams' lawyer has previously said that her ex-boyfriend was 'vengeful' and the accusations she would sell the laptop to Russia were phony.
She has since obtained a restraining order against Michael Prodanov, which accuses him of sharing nude photos and threatening to rape Williams.
'He has stalked and harassed her and she had to change her phone number at the suggestion of a police officer,' public defender Lori Ulrich said of Prodanov.
Williams poses with a rifle in a social media photo
She was seen in video at the riot allegedly directing people to the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Williams faces two felony and two misdemeanor charges and could potentially land in jail for more than 30 years with fines of more than $600,000 if she is convicted of the charges stemming from the riot.
In videos from the melee, Williams can be seen wearing a large brown coat over a green t-shirt that features an alt-right message.
She also had a zebra print bag slung over her shoulders as she seemingly directed rioters to Pelosi's office.
The laptop was stolen and Williams allegedly planned on getting it to the Russian government
Williams was scheduled to have her first appearance in federal court on Monday afternoon.
PennLive reports that the defense attorney asked to have the appearance delayed to Tuesday, which was granted.
The insurrection at the Capitol on January 6 occurred as Congress was working on counting the Electoral College ballots and certifying Joe Biden's presidential victory.
Five people died in connection with the riot, including one Capitol police officer.
Dozens of arrests have been made, with the FBI continually putting out posters in hopes of making hundreds of more arrests.
The insurrection also resulted in the historic second impeachment of Trump, who is accused of inciting and goading the rioters.
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