A Florida firefighter has been arrested by the FBI for his alleged participation in last week’s Capitol Hill riots after he was initially placed on administrative leave.
The FBI has charged Andrew Williams, a Sanford Fire Department firefighter and paramedic, with one count of unlawful entry of a restricted building and one count of disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, read a statement from the City of Sanford. The fire department was first notified of Williams’s involvement in the Capitol Hill riots on Jan. 7 after a photo was submitted that allegedly depicted Williams inside the Capitol building, according to the statement.
#BREAKING: Florida @CitySanfordFL firefighter on paid leave after recording himself storming the Capitol with pro-Trump mob was just arrested by the feds #BecauseFlorida https://t.co/JlHMvRM9hO pic.twitter.com/Nxg0F7tFye
— Billy Corben (@BillyCorben) January 12, 2021
“We hold the men and women in this department to the highest standards,” Sanford Fire Chief Craig Radzak said in the statement. Radzak continued, saying the actions “saddened” him and “[t]arnished the hard work and dedication” of the department.
Williams was placed on administrative leave with pay, according to the statement, but his pay was reportedly revoked following his arrest. The administrative investigation was suspended until a federal investigation was completed. (RELATED: ‘March For Reparations’ And ‘Armed Protests’ Expected In Washington, DC On Inauguration Day)
Williams appeared before a judge at a federal courthouse in Orlando, according to The New York Post. He reportedly posted a $25,000 bond and was released. He was also required to surrender his firearms and undergo a mental health evaluation, according to the same report.
“The president and the Capitol police encouraged despicable behavior.” Williams’s defense attorney Vincent Citro said, according to the Post. Citro reportedly added that his client took part in “none of it.”
President Donald Trump is facing growing calls of impeachment following last week’s riots, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly in favor of voting for impeachment.