Harrisburg woman formally charged with stealing Pelosi’s laptop in US capitol riot

A formal indictment has been revealed against a Harrisburg woman suspected of stealing the laptop of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the riot at the United States Capitol on Jan. 6.

CNN reports that an indictment was unsealed against Riley Williams, a 22 year old Harrisburg resident, accusing her of stealing a laptop from Pelosi’s office and later disposing of it. She is also charged with resisting police.

The formal charges come after several months of house arrest, as Williams and her lawyers had been in plea negotiations with prosecutors. CNN reports that those talks have broken down, and that prosecutors are now preparing to go to trial. As of Oct. 7, Williams has not entered a plea.

The FBI investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection revealed video and photos of a woman that appears to be Williams encouraging people to go inside the Capitol during the riot and directing members of the mob once inside. Posts and video on social media apps, apparently made by Williams, also claimed that she stole Pelosi’s laptop.

Williams’ attorney has denied the allegations against her, and claimed that some of the allegations were made by a former boyfriend, whom the attorney claimed had been abusive.