FBI investigator allegedly stole Pelosi’s laptop to sell to Russia

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has obtained an arrest warrant for a Pennsylvania woman who allegedly stole a laptop computer from House of Commons Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., During the January 6 Capitol riot in the purpose of selling the device to the Russian equivalent. of the Central Intelligence Agency.

In an affidavit signed Sunday, FBI Special Agent Jonathan Lund said the agency was investigating Riley June Williams after a person described as her “former romantic partner” told authorities Williams intended to send the computer to a friend in Russia who would then pass it on. to the SVR, the country’s spy force.

Lund wrote that the former romantic partner said the laptop transfer “failed for unknown reasons” and Williams still either had the device or destroyed it.

Williams appears to have fled, Lund wrote in his affidavit. Williams’ mother told local law enforcement in Harrisburg, Pa. That Williams “packed up and left her home and told her mother she would be gone for a few weeks.”

“WILLIAMS did not provide her mother with any information about her intended destination,” Lund wrote. “Some time after January 6, 2021, WILLIAMS changed her phone number and deleted what I believe were her social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, Telegram and Talk.”

Williams is charged with disorderly conduct on the Capitol grounds and entering a restricted building. She could not be reached for comment.

Drew Hammill, a spokesperson for Pelosi’s office, did not immediately respond to an inquiry. Hammill said shortly after the attack that a computer was stolen and was only used for presentations.

Lund’s affidavit says Williams was identified after her ex-partner made several calls to the FBI information line. The FBI has also examined video of the riot which appears to show Williams on Capitol Hill leading a crowd up a staircase to Pelosi’s office.

The affidavit also notes that law enforcement in Harrisburg met Williams ‘mother, who is not identified, on January 11, after Williams’ mother filed a suspicious persons report. At one point, officers watched Williams and her mother speak via video chat, he says.

On Saturday, officers spoke again with Williams’ mother, “who told them that a British media team had come to her house the night before, asking to speak to WILLIAMS, who was not present”.

On the same day, ITV News, a UK-based outlet, posted a video on its YouTube page titled “Revealed: ITV News Identifies Protester Who Storms Capitol.” The video identifies “Riley Williams” as a “22-year-old care worker” from Pennsylvania.

The video shows Williams’ mother claiming that her daughter has recently taken an interest in President Donald Trump’s politics and popular message boards among “the far right.”

Williams’ father told police on Saturday he drove with Williams to DC for the protest but the two did not stay together during the day. He said they returned to Pennsylvania together, according to the affidavit.

Dozens of people were arrested in connection with the January 6 riot, and federal authorities said hundreds could eventually face charges.

Michael Sherwin, the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, noted that it is likely that the relatively minor charges initially laid could be revalued as the investigation continues.

Democratic lawmakers have asked the FBI and other law enforcement agencies to provide information that a foreign power played a role in exploiting the attack.