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Pennsylvania woman who allegedly stole Pelosi's laptop is in custody

Riley June Williams, a Pennsylvania woman the FBI is investigating for allegedly stealing a laptop from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office to sell to Russia, is being held in county jail in Harrisburg.

Williams is charged with trespassing as well as violent entry of the Capitol and disorderly conduct Jan. 6, both misdemeanors, but federal authorities are preparing two new felony charges of stealing government property and aiding and abetting, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian T. Haugsby told U.S. Magistrate Judge Martin Carlson.

Carlson said he will consider bail and plans to conduct a preliminary hearing on Thursday.

Haugsby argued Williams should not be released on bail pending trial, saying she might flee or try to obstruct justice.

The FBI received information from an informant. Riley June Williams can allegedly be seen directing rioters toward Pelosi's office in footage obtained by the FBI.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said many House Republicans had refused to adhere to new security rules put in place after riots at the U.S. Capitol.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said many House Republicans had refused to adhere to new security rules put in place after riots at the U.S. Capitol.

The informant tells the agency that she "intended to send the computer device to a friend in Russia, who then planned to sell the device to SVR, Russia’s foreign intelligence service."

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According to the informant, who claims to be a former romantic partner of Williams, the deal fell through for unknown reasons.

Williams was apprehended on Jan. 19. Local law enforcement in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, said Williams' mother was last contacted by Williams. Williams "packed a bag and left her home and told her mother she would be gone for a couple of weeks," according to FBI.

Williams’ father, who lives in nearby Camp Hill, Pa., told local law enforcement that he and his daughter went to Washington on the day of the protest but didn’t stay together, meeting up later to return to Harrisburg, the FBI said.

Drew Hammill, Pelosi's deputy chief of staff, confirmed to reporters Jan. 8 that a laptop was taken from a conference room but said: "it was a laptop that was only used for presentations."

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In the aftermath of the Capitol riot, cybersecurity and national security experts expressed deep concern about the gaping security risk posed by the attack.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FBI investigates Riley June Williams for alleged Pelosi laptop theft