Metro Detroit Man Gets 5 Years In Prison For Role In Capitol Riot

SOUTHGATE, MI — A downriver man was sentenced to five years in prison Friday for his role in the U.S. Capitol Riot, according to a U.S. Justice Department news release.

Anthony Robert Williams, 47, of Southgate was also sentenced to three years of supervised release after his prison term and ordered him to pay $2,000 in restitution and a $5,000 fine, according to the news release.

Williams was convicted by a jury in June for a felony count obstructing Congress' work in certifying the Electoral College vote from the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election on Jan. 6, 2021. He was also convicted of four related misdemeanor offenses as well.

Prosecutors said Williams took water bottles from police officers who were using them to clean their eyes from chemical spray, and was among other rioters who rushed through the Senate's Wing doors.

"Williams advanced to the Rotunda where he celebrated with other rioters and smoked marijuana," prosecutors said. "When the police tried to force Williams out of the Rotunda, he joined with other rioters and actively resisted and mocked the police."

Williams referred to himself as an "Operation Swamp Storm veteran" and said Jan. 6 was the "proudest day of my life" in a Facebook post three days after the riot. He also said that it "felt like the founding fathers were smiling down on us in that room, and I guarantee my dad and gramps, both vets, would be proud."

More than 870 people have been convicted for their role in the Capital Riot. More 260 of them have been sentenced, with roughly half of them receiving a term of imprisonment ranging from seven days to 10 years.

The Associated Press contributed to this report