Prosecutors in Wayne County, Michigan announced on Monday that Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams will not face criminal charges related to an October 8th traffic stop where a concealed weapon was found in the vehicle he was riding in. The decision comes after a thorough review of the case by the prosecutor’s office.
The incident occurred around 1:00 am when Detroit police officers pulled over a black sedan for speeding and reckless driving. Williams was a passenger in the vehicle, which was being driven by his brother. During the stop, police discovered two firearms in the car – one in the back seat that belonged to Williams’ brother, who had a valid concealed pistol license, and one under the passenger seat where Williams was sitting.
Although the gun under Williams’ seat was registered to him, the 22-year-old wide receiver did not have a concealed pistol license at the time. This led officers to briefly handcuff Williams and place him in the back of a patrol car while they sorted out the situation. He was released at the scene after a police supervisor arrived. Williams’ brother was issued traffic citations for the moving violations.
Prosecutors: Decision Based on Law, Not Football
After analyzing the unique circumstances of the case and applicable concealed carry laws, Wayne County prosecutors determined that criminal charges were not warranted against Williams. In a statement explaining the decision, prosecutor Kym Worthy emphasized that the fact that Williams is a high-profile professional athlete had no bearing on the outcome.
“We did not consider that Mr. Williams is a Detroit professional athlete in our decision making,” Worthy said. “We have charged Detroit area athletes before and would not have hesitated to do so again if the facts of this case could be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Worthy explained that under Michigan’s concealed pistol license statute, the driver of the vehicle – Williams’ brother in this case – had lawful control and possession of the firearms as a valid CPL holder. She noted that current laws do not provide clear guidance on situations involving multiple guns and a mix of licensed and unlicensed individuals in a car.
“Guidance is needed for the future on how many weapons can a valid CPL say that they have control over?” Worthy stated. “Despite all of this, if Mr. Williams had the gun on his person, he would have been charged.”
Rising Star Vows to “Move Smarter”
The traffic stop occurred just weeks before Williams was suspended for six games by the NFL for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. The young receiver, who was drafted 12th overall by the Lions in 2022, called the suspension a “complete surprise” and has vowed to make better decisions moving forward.
“I’ve always been the same person. It don’t change me, never will change me,” Williams said after returning from the suspension. “Certain people want to see you with your head down and not doing the right thing, not making the right decisions, but I’m me. I always come out of every situation the same person and I’m always gonna be the same person every day.”
Since being reinstated, Williams has emerged as a dangerous deep threat for the 10-1 Lions, tallying 602 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns on the season. He exploded for a career-high 124 yards and a score in Week 11. With the legal situation now behind him, Williams says he’s focused on helping Detroit chase a Super Bowl title.
Legislators Urged to Clarify Gun Laws
While relieved by the outcome, Prosecutor Worthy said the Williams case exposes gaps and ambiguities in Michigan’s concealed carry laws that need to be addressed by lawmakers. She is urging the state legislature to provide clearer legal standards for complex situations involving firearms in vehicles.
“I urge the legislature to immediately look closely at this law so that the prosecutors in Michigan can have steady and meaningful guidance in the future,” Worthy said.
As for Williams, he expressed gratitude for the support from coaches and teammates during the legal process and reiterated his commitment to making smart decisions on and off the field. With his blazing speed and playmaking ability, the young Lions star has a bright future ahead – as long as he can steer clear of further off-field troubles.
