Report: Detroit police investigating how Lions WR Jameson Williams avoided arrest for gun possession

The Detroit Police Department is investigating how Lions wideout Jameson Williams avoided being arrested for allegedly being in possession of a concealed handgun without a concealed carry permit, according to an investigation from 7 News Detroit (WXYZ).

Williams and his brother were apparently pulled over shortly after midnight on the morning on Oct. 8 for a traffic citation, according to the report. Williams’ brother, who was driving the car, informed the officer who made the stop that there were two guns in the car, one laying on the backseat and another under Williams’ seat.

Williams’ brother had a concealed carry permit (CPL) but the Lions wideout did not. Williams’ brother originally claimed both guns were his, but Williams later admitted that the second gun was his.

According to the report from WXYZ, officers were preparing to take Williams to jail and proceed with arresting and charging him for unlawful possession of a concealed handgun.

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Williams, on body camera footage released to WXYZ, can be heard explaining to the officers that he plays for the Lions. However, that did not stop him from being handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car.

“I feel that there was probable cause to arrest, and he was under arrest by the patrol officer,” Detroit police commander Michael McGinnis said to WXYZ. “And because of that, he should have been conveyed to the Detroit Detention Center and processed.”

Then, a supervisor arrived, and things started to change.

For one, the shift supervisor — in this case a sergeant on the force — was an apparent Lions fan and recognized Williams. His phone wallpaper appeared to be Lions themed, based on the body camera footage.

The supervising sergeant then makes a series of phone calls, seemingly preparing to take Williams to jail for further processing. He even made a seeming joke to the first two officers, saying “I’m so mad at you two.”

Eventually, though, after speaking with a higher-ranking officer, the sergeant then was poised to let Williams go.

“Okay. Beautiful. I’m good to let him go?” the sergeant said on the body camera footage before hanging up. “You’re a (expletive) hero. Thank you so much.”

In response to the incident, and inquiries from WXYZ, the Detroit Police Department — currently being led by interim chief Todd Bettison, a deputy mayor — is launching an internal investigation to determine whether Williams was incorrectly released, and if his playing for the Lions factored in.

“(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,” McGinnis said to WXYZ.

The police recently submitted a warrant request to the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, according to WXYZ, seemingly indicating there is enough evidence to arrest and charge Williams, as far as DPD is concerned. The prosecutor’s office is still reviewing the request.

Williams is currently serving a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s banned substance policy.

Williams’ attorney, Todd Flood, released a statement to 7 News Detroit: “On October 8, my clients were pulled over for an alleged traffic violation. During the course of the stop, my clients were both cooperative and respectful with the police officers. With the two pistols that were found in the vehicle, they were both properly registered and the driver in the vehicle had the proper credentials to carry them. We have cooperated with law enforcement and will continue to do so.”

The Detroit Lions also released a statement on Tuesday.

“Jameson made us aware immediately that he was a passenger in a routine traffic stop on October 8th. 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,” the statement from the Lions said.