Jameson Williams Avoids Legal Trouble After Traffic Stop
DETROIT — Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams can breathe a sigh of relief after Wayne County prosecutors announced that no legal action will be taken against him following his Oct. 8 traffic stop. The decision comes after a thorough review of a warrant request on a concealed weapons charge.
The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office explained that the warrant was denied because the case law does not specifically address the issue at hand, and the legislative intent of Michigan’s Concealed Pistol License (CPL) statute does not support charges in this particular situation. Prosecutor Kym Worthy emphasized that Williams’ status as an NFL player had no bearing on the decision.
“We did not consider that Mr. Williams is a Detroit professional athlete in our decision making,” Worthy stated. “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 added, “When it comes to charging decisions, we do not take into consideration who the potential defendant is, how much power and influence they have, or how beloved they may be. We deal with the facts and the law only.”
The Traffic Stop: What Happened?
According to the report, the incident occurred in the early hours of Oct. 8, around 1:02 a.m., when two Detroit police officers in a marked scout car pulled over a black sedan. The vehicle, driven by Williams’ brother, was allegedly speeding and had an obscured license plate. During the stop, police asked if there were any weapons in the car, and Williams’ brother disclosed that there were two guns: one in the back seat and another under the passenger seat where Williams was sitting.
The gun in the back seat was registered to Williams’ brother, who had a valid CPL, as well as a Michigan driver’s license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration. The gun under the passenger seat was registered to Jameson Williams, but he did not have a CPL. However, prosecutors noted that Williams would qualify to obtain a CPL and that there was no evidence to suggest he is a criminal or a dangerous individual.
Body camera footage revealed that Williams identified himself as a Lions player during the stop. He was briefly handcuffed and placed in the back of a police car but was released at the scene after a Detroit Police Department supervisor arrived. Meanwhile, Williams’ brother received traffic citations for the incident.
Prosecutors Call for Legislative Clarity
Prosecutor Worthy highlighted the complexities of the case and called for clearer guidance on Michigan’s CPL laws. “The CPL holder here was the driver and had care, custody, and control of the car. Guidance is needed for the future on how many weapons can a valid CPL say that they have control over,” Worthy said. She also noted that if Williams had been carrying the gun on his person, he would have faced charges.
“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 added.
Williams’ NFL Journey and Redemption
Jameson Williams, who was selected 12th overall by the Lions in 2012 out of Alabama, has been a key player for Detroit this season. Despite missing two games without pay for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy, Williams has made a significant impact on the field. He is the team’s second-leading receiver with 602 receiving yards and four touchdowns, trailing only Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Since his reinstatement, Williams has been on fire, including a career-best performance in Week 11 against Jacksonville, where he racked up 124 yards and a touchdown. The Lions, now 10-1, are off to their best start in 90 years, and Williams has credited his recent experiences with teaching him to “move smarter.”
“I’ve always been the same person. It don’t change me, never will change me,” Williams told reporters on Nov. 6. “Certain people want to see you down, 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.”
He added, “I always come out of every situation the same person and I’m always gonna be the same person every day. So, I really just was telling (my teammates) that I’m good and thanks. I appreciated everybody who checked on me.”
Key Takeaways
- Jameson Williams will not face charges related to the Oct. 8 traffic stop.
- Prosecutors determined that the facts of the case did not support charges under Michigan’s CPL laws.
- Williams has been a standout player for the Lions this season, helping the team achieve a historic 10-1 start.
- Prosecutor Kym Worthy has called for legislative clarity on CPL laws to avoid similar legal ambiguities in the future.
As the Lions continue their remarkable season, Williams’ focus remains on the field, where he has proven to be a vital asset to the team. With this legal matter behind him, the young receiver can now concentrate on helping Detroit make a deep playoff run.
Originally Written by: Eric Woodyard
