22-Year-Old Far-Right Extremist Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Role in Capitol Attack

A 22-year-old far-right extremist from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has been sentenced to three years in prison for her role in the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Riley Williams was convicted in November of six federal charges, including obstruction of an official proceeding, obstruction of justice, and civil disorder. Prosecutors argued that Williams had “distasteful” beliefs and was an “accelerant” of the mob, leading an “army” up a set of stairs toward the office of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

During the attack, a laptop belonging to Pelosi was stolen from her conference room. Prosecutors argued that Williams was present when the laptop was taken and had made violent statements about Pelosi.

At her sentencing hearing Thursday, Williams was accused of obstructing the investigation into her case and of denying responsibility for her actions. Her federal public defender, Lori Ulrich, argued that while Williams might have “distasteful” beliefs, she was a young woman equipped with limited resources and was not the only person responsible for the attack.

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss ultimately sentenced Williams to three years in prison and three years of supervised release. He also ordered her to pay a $100 special assessment and to stay away from the Capitol and Pelosi’s office.