Police investigating Lions’ Jameson Williams’ detainment, release after guns found during traffic stop

Detroit Lions star Jameson Williams is at the center of a police investigation related to the receiver’s detainment and subsequent release after a recent traffic stop, the Detroit Police Department confirmed Wednesday.

The internal probe seeks to answer why Williams was released from custody after multiple Detroit police officers indicated they would take him to jail during the Oct. 8 stop, per 7 News Detroit.

A spokesperson for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office said Wednesday that the office is reviewing a warrant request it received from the Detroit Police Department this week for Williams. According to 7 News Detroit, the warrant request was issued for Williams’ arrest on a concealed weapon charge.

“There’s been no charging decision made at this time,” the Wayne County Prosecutors’ office spokesperson said Wednesday.

Two Detroit police officers initially pulled over a car being driven by Williams’ brother for speeding after midnight on Oct. 8, according to 7 News Detroit, which shared bodycam footage of the stop. After the stop, Williams’ brother informed the officer that there were two guns in the car, per the outlet. The first was in the back seat, and the second was under Williams’ seat. The gun in the back seat was registered to Williams’ brother, who had a concealed pistol license (CPL), while the gun under Williams’ seat was registered to him, but he did not have a CPL, according to 7 News Detroit.

One officer informed Williams he was under arrest for carrying a concealed weapon, the bodycam footage showed. The officer then handcuffed Williams and placed him in the back of the police car.

Williams told the officer his full name and that he plays for the Lions multiple times throughout their interaction, per the footage. The officer who conducted the traffic stop was unfamiliar with Williams, but, according to 7 News Detroit, a sergeant who arrived at the scene after Williams’ arrest was a fan and recognized the Lions player.

After making multiple phone calls, the sergeant appeared to indicate that Williams would be taken to jail, suggesting in one call that the person on the receiving end “be advised” of Williams’ impending arrival, per 7 News Detroit.

“You might want to make special accommodations,” the sergeant said, according to the report.

Moments later, however, while speaking to a lieutenant on the phone, the sergeant said, “OK. Beautiful. I’m good to let him go? You’re a (expletive) hero. Thank you so much,” per the report.

Williams was eventually released from his handcuffs and his gun returned, according to the report, which also said that no police report was written and no warrant request had been submitted for the incident.

Detroit Police Commander Michael McGinnis said he believed the officers conducting the traffic stop didn’t do anything wrong by telling Williams he’d be taken into custody, per 7 News Detroit.

“I feel that there was probable cause to arrest and that he was under arrest by the patrol officer. Because of that, he should have been conveyed to the Detroit Detention Center and processed,” McGinnis told the outlet.

Williams’ attorney, Todd Flood, said in a statement to 7 News Detroit that the two guns found in the car were properly registered and the driver “had the proper credentials to carry them.”

“We have cooperated with law enforcement and will continue to do so,” the statement said, per the report. Flood did not respond to multiple requests from The Athletic for comment.

The Detroit Police Department said in a statement to The Athletic on Wednesday that the “investigation continues to evolve” and “new information has come to light.”

“We take every investigation seriously, especially when new allegations and facts emerge, and we are committed to acting in a swift and transparent manner. Once new facts are confirmed, we make the necessary changes in our decision-making process,” the statement said. “Let it be clear: no one in the City of Detroit is above the law. Anyone who commits a crime will be held accountable, regardless of their position or status.”

The Lions issued a statement Tuesday in which they said Williams immediately informed the team of the traffic stop.

“We discussed the incident with him and have kept the league informed of what we know. We understand he was released without incident or citation. It is now our understanding that the Detroit Police Department is revisiting the matter,” the statement said. “Jameson has hired an attorney, and we will not be commenting further out of respect for the legal process.”

The NFL said in a statement Wednesday that the Lions “promptly notified the league upon learning of the matter” and the league would not comment further at this time. The league typically monitors developments in active cases but does not act until it is resolved in the legal system.

Lions coach Dan Campbell addressed the situation Wednesday, saying Williams “has been truthful with us” and the details Williams shared with the team “all lined up.”

“He’s gonna learn from this, grow from it. We’ve talked about it,” Campbell said. “And I still think there’s been a ton of growth out of this player.”

Campbell also said: “I judge people over what’s in their heart and I know what this kid’s made of, and he’s worth hanging with. He’s gonna learn from this, he’s gonna grow. He’ll be better for all this.”

The incident is not related to Williams’ current two-week suspension, which he is serving due to violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy. The encounter with Detroit police occurred two weeks before the league issued that punishment.

Alex Andrejev contributed to this report.

(Photo: Nic Antaya / Getty Images)