Northeast News
July 16, 2013

A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to resisting a federal officer after he threatened workers at a local Social Security office and fought with Federal Protective Service (FPS) security officers.

Leonard C. Williams, 46, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to the charge contained in a Sept. 4, 2012 federal indictment.

Williams entered the Social Security Administration office at 2021 Independence Ave., Kansas City, Mo., on Aug. 1, 2012. Upset about a letter he had received, Williams repeatedly told an employee that he would return with a gun. Employees then called for the assistance of the FPS officers.

FPS officers ordered Williams, who was leaving the building, to stop. He ignored the order, and when an officer attempted to handcuff Williams, he resisted. Williams shoved the officer and struck him in his struggle to resist detention and leave the office. Officers brought Williams to the ground and he began kicking. An officer sprayed him with pepper spray as he continued kicking, striking several officers. When officers handcuffed Williams, he became compliant. Williams threatened to return and shoot the officers in the back.

During the struggle to detain Williams, one officer sustained a cut above his left eyebrow and a contusion of the abdominal wall. Another officer sustained a laceration on his neck, and another sustained an elbow abrasion.

As a result of Williams’ actions, the Social Security office was shut down for the remainder of the afternoon on Aug. 1, 2012, and was closed the entire next day.

Under federal statutes, Williams is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.