The Detroit police department is investigating why Lions receiver Jameson Williams wasn’t arrested after guns were found in a vehicle he was a passenger in during a traffic stop.
Williams, who is currently serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy, was almost arrested on Oct. 8 for having a firearm in his vehicle before being released by police.
Now, the Detroit police are looking into why Williams was let go without being taken to jail, according to WYZX News.
Williams was reportedly in the passenger seat of a car being driven by his brother when Detroit police pulled them over and found two guns inside – one in the backseat and another under the NFLer’s seat.
The gun under Williams’ seat was registered to him, although he didn’t have a concealed pistol license.
Body camera footage showed police officers tell Williams that he would be taken into custody before the wide receiver pleaded to be let go.
“I play for the Lions, bro. I’m Jameson Williams,” he said. “Bro, I play for the Detroit Lions.”
Williams’ brother would then try to claim the gun was his before the wide receiver later admitted it was his own.
”I got the gun for protection,” Williams said. “Do you guys know where I live at? Detroit!”
Williams was handcuffed and put into the back of a police car while a police supervisor came to the scene.
The sergeant, who is believed to be a Lions fan based on his cellphone background seen in the bodycam footage, made multiple phone calls before returning Williams’ gun and letting them both go, a decision that is now being called into question.
“I feel that there was probable cause to arrest, and he was under arrest by the patrol officer,” Detroit Police Commander Michael McGinnis said, according to WYZX News. “And because of that, he should have been conveyed to the Detroit Detention Center and processed. [Chief James White] was very unhappy about the totality of the circumstances here. Even to go so far as to say he was pissed off.”
Williams could face a concealed weapons charge if the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office decides to go through with a warrant request submitted by Detroit Police.
The Lions released a statement on the matter, acknowledging they were aware of the situation shortly after the incident.
“Jameson made us aware immediately that he was a passenger in a routine traffic stop on October 8th,” the team stated. “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. Jameson has hired an attorney, and we will not be commenting further out of respect for the legal process.”
