Lawyer Says Pelosi Laptop Hasn't Been Recovered From Suspect
Williams, 22, is accused of helping steal the laptop
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A Pennsylvania woman allegedly stole a laptop from House speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office during the insurrection, authorities say. The FBI says the woman planned to sell the computer to Russia. The Lineup’s Erin Coleman explains.
A laptop stolen from the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during the U.S. Capitol attack has not been recovered from the home or car of a Pennsylvania woman accused of helping steal it, the woman's lawyer said Tuesday.
Public defender A.J. Kramer told a federal judge that investigators searched the car and Harrisburg residence of Riley June Williams but did not locate the computer.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Sedky said during a hearing in Washington that she was reluctant to say more about what she described as an ongoing and fluid investigation, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
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Capitol police stand with guns drawn near a barricaded door as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol’s Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol’s Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol’s Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
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U.S. Capitol police officers take positions as demonstrators enter the U.S. Capitol during a protest in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
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A protester is seen hanging from the balcony in the Senate Chamber on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, DC.
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Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol’s Rotunda as reported tear gas smoke fills a corridor on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
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US Capitol police officers try to stop supporters of US President Donald Trump to enter the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump roam under the Capitol Rotunda after invading the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
US Capitol police officers try to stop supporters of US President Donald Trump to enter the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump enter the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump confront Capitol police officers enter the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
Supporters of US President Donald Trump roam under the Capitol Rotunda after invading the Capitol building on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by Saul LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
Police hold back supporters of US President Donald Trump as they gather outside the US Capitol’s Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
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Protesters gather inside the U.S. Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
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A protester is seen inside the US Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
A supporter of US President Donald Trump sits at a desk after invading the Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in the US Capitol’s Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest in the US Capitol’s Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
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Capitol police try to hold back protesters outside the east doors to the House side of the Capitol in Washington, DC, Jan. 6, 2021.
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House of Representatives members leave the floor of the House chamber as protesters try to break into the chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
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People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the Capitol, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Protesters interact with Capitol Police inside the U.S. Capitol Building on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden’s 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump. A group of Republican senators said they would reject the Electoral College votes of several states unless Congress appointed a commission to audit the election results. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Damage is seen inside the US Capitol building early on January 7, 2021 in Washington, DC, after supporters of US President Donald Trump breeched security and entered the building during a session of Congress. – Donald Trump’s supporters stormed a session of Congress held today, January 6, to certify Joe Biden’s election win, triggering unprecedented chaos and violence at the heart of American democracy and accusations the president was attempting a coup. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: Two members of a pro-Trump mob look out through a broken window from inside the Capitol Building after breaking into it on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: A member of a pro-Trump mob screams out at the crowd from the inside of the Capitol Building after breaking into it on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 06: A member of a pro-Trump mob shatters a window with his fist from inside the Capitol Building after breaking into it on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. A pro-Trump mob stormed the Capitol, breaking windows and clashing with police officers. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta
Supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump sit inside the office of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as he protest inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 6, 2021. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
A supporter of US President Donald Trump sits inside the office of US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as he protest inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 6, 2021. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
(Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
A supporter of US President Donald Trump sits inside the office of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as he protest inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, January 6, 2021. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)
(Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they gather inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
(Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they gather inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
(Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they gather inside the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
(Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest inside the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
Supporters of US President Donald Trump protest inside the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. – Demonstrators breeched security and entered the Capitol as Congress debated the a 2020 presidential election Electoral Vote Certification. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP)
(Photo By Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – JANUARY 6: A U.S. Capitol Police officer maces a Trump rioter who broke through a window on the first floor of the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (Photo By Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
(Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
A Congress staffer holds his hands up while Capitol Police Swat team check everyone in the room as they secure the floor of Trump suporters in Washington, CD on January 6, 2021. – Donald Trump’s supporters stormed a session of Congress held today, January 6, to certify Joe Biden’s election win, triggering unprecedented chaos and violence at the heart of American democracy and accusations the president was attempting a coup. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP)
(Photo By Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – JANUARY 6: A U.S. Capitol Police officer is treated for injuries on the first floor of the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (Photo By Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
(Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
A Capitol Police Swat team member patrols the US Capitol in Washington, CD on January 6, 2021. – Donald Trump’s supporters stormed a session of Congress held today, January 6, to certify Joe Biden’s election win, triggering unprecedented chaos and violence at the heart of American democracy and accusations the president was attempting a coup. (Photo by Olivier DOULIERY / AFP)
Photographer: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A members of the U.S. Capitol Police responds to demonstrators at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. The U.S. Capitol was placed under lockdown and Vice President Mike Pence left the floor of Congress as hundreds of protesters swarmed past barricades surrounding the building where lawmakers were debating Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College. Photographer: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Photographer: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Members of the U.S. Capitol Police respond to the demonstrators at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. The U.S. Capitol was placed under lockdown and Vice President Mike Pence left the floor of Congress as hundreds of protesters swarmed past barricades surrounding the building where lawmakers were debating Joe Biden’s victory in the Electoral College. Photographer: Ting Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images
“I’m very uncomfortable discussing the facts of the case at this stage,” Sedky said. “I’m concerned that talking about what we do and don’t know and what we’re running down could jeopardize the investigation.”
Williams, 22, is accused of helping steal the laptop, which a Pelosi aide has said was only used for presentations. She is on electronic monitoring and largely confined to her home to await trial on that charge, along with obstruction, trespassing and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
Sedky told the judge there is evidence Williams has directed others to delete data after the attack, the paper said. U.S. Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui restricted Williams' internet access while she awaits trial.
The FBI has said an unidentified former romantic partner of Williams tipped them off that she appeared in video from the Jan. 6 rioting and the tipster claimed she had hoped to sell the computer to Russian intelligence.
Her lawyers have said the tipster's accusations are overstated.
Video from the riot shows a woman matching Williams’ description exhorting invaders to go “upstairs, upstairs, upstairs” during the attack. The FBI has said Williams was recorded on closed-circuit cameras in the Capitol going into and coming out of Pelosi’s office.
An FBI affidavit said a cellphone video likely shot by Williams showed a man’s gloved hand lifting an HP laptop from a table, and the caption read, “they got the laptop.”
