Misinformation about Jameson Williams’ arrest prompted DPD to open an investigation

DETROIT (WXYZ) – An internal affairs investigation into the near-arrest of Detroit Lions star Jameson Williams was launched over concerns that then-Police Chief James White was misled about a gun found under Williams’ seat.

The investigation, now in its third week, is looking into whether wardens intentionally withheld information about weapons registered to Williams, who did not have a concealed handgun license, and whether his status as an athlete influenced the decision not to arrest him.

The department said Thursday that while the investigation is still ongoing, wrongdoing has already been discovered.

“Preliminarily, the Department identified several failures that occurred on the evening of the traffic stop. Any violations of DPD policy, including the actions of the supervisors involved, will be addressed,” a department spokesperson said.

Related video: Detroit police investigate why Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams avoided arrest after gun found in car

Detroit police investigating why Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams avoided arrest after gun found in car

“That’s something I’d frankly like to wrap up here very soon,” White said in an interview last Thursday, promising that the department would share whatever the findings are when the investigation is complete.

White was told repeatedly that the only gun found was in the back seat of a car driven by Williams’ brother, sources said.

But further review of police body camera footage showed that was not true: A second gun — registered to Williams — was found under the Lions’ wide receiver’s seat and did not have a CPL.

“Given that there were two weapons, and one of them was located in the passenger’s wingspan, and that weapon is registered to the passenger, that changes the circumstances,” said Cmdr. Michael McGuinness, who is leading the investigation, in an interview last month.

Related video: Body camera video shows interaction between Detroit police officer and Williams

The video shows an interaction between a Detroit police officer and Lions WR Jameson Williams

Williams was initially handcuffed by the arresting officer who planned to take him to the Detroit Detention Center. But after a sergeant was called to the scene and called supervisors, the decision was made to release Williams and return the gun to him.

No police report was written and no warrant was filed with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. After learning of the second gun on Oct. 23, White ordered a warrant request.

Williams’ attorney, Todd Flood, says Williams’ brother had a CPL that would have covered the Lions’ receiver.

“I give White and McGinnis credit for saying we need to investigate this,” said Steve Dolant, a former DPD assistant chief who has been with the department for 31 years. “Because if (they) were deliberately misled, (they) have a problem with that officer or officers or supervisors or whatever.”

Dolunt says if he had pulled Williams and his brother over that night, he would have arrested the wide receiver because his gun was found under his seat and he didn’t have a CPL.

“If it was Joe Blow on the street, I’d lock him up. They took him,” he said.

That was the initial decision made by the officer at the scene, which McGinnis said was the correct one.

Related Video: Body Camera Video Shows Detroit Police Officer Arresting Jameson Williams

The video shows Jameson Williams being detained by a Detroit police officer

During the stop, Williams made it clear he was a member of the Detroit Lions, and his brother called on speakerphone from the front seat.

“The head of security for the Detroit Lions is on the phone with me. He’s trying to understand what’s going on, why you’re trying to do this,” Williams’ brother is heard saying. He did not name the man.

The sergeant said he was not interested in talking to a Lions employee.

“If they called, I’m not surprised. Because when I was there, people were calling all the time,” Dolunt said.

“And it works?” asked Channel 7’s Ross Jones.

“It depends,” Dolunt said. “It depends.”

It’s unclear tonight whether the phone calls had any effect on how Williams was treated, but that’s one question internal affairs is asking.

“We encourage our players to notify our security team immediately if they interact with law enforcement,” a Lions spokesperson said in a statement. “This ensures that we receive information directly from them and can communicate any issues to the league in a timely and appropriate manner.”

Investigators also want to know who the supervisors called at the scene that night that prompted them to fire Williams.

At one point, a sergeant appears on the phone and then turns off the body camera as it looks like the conversation is about to start.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs wants to know who the sergeant called and why he turned off the body camera.

After the Internal Affairs investigation concludes — possibly as soon as this week — Kim Worthy’s office will have to decide whether to act on a warrant filed late last month after White learned of the second weapon.

While anything is possible, most legal experts tell 7 News Detroit they would be surprised if Worthy were to plead guilty to felony charges.

Contact Detective 7 Ross Jones at [email protected] or at (248) 827-9466.