FL Firefighter Arrested for Participating in Capitol Riot
Source Firehouse.com News
A Florida fire department paramedic who was part of the mob that rioted at the U.S. Capitol last week was arrested Tuesday by federal law enforcement.
Sanford paramedic Andrew Williams was brought to the federal courthouse in Orlando in shackles, the Orlando Sentinel reports. The U.S. Attorney's Office charged him with disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
Williams, who has been with the Sanford Fire Department since 2016, is currently on administrative leave, according to the Sentinel. Last week, the department said an internal investigation was ongoing.
The arrest comes after video captured a man who appeared to be Williams among those who stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. while Congress was voting to confirm the results of November's presidential election.
“We are storming the Capitol! Yeah baby!" the man who appears to be Williams says in the video.
Williams was released from custody Tuesday and ordered to have a psychiatric and mental health evaluation. He also must stay in the state's Middle District, except to attend court proceedings in Washington, D.C.
Williams and his lawyer left the courthouse without answering questions, although attorney Vincent Citro did profess his client's innocence.
“The Capitol Police encouraged despicable behavior, Mr. Williams took part in none of it,” Citro said.
