SUSPECT CHARGED WITH ASSAULT
A detainee is being accused of damaging his jail cell and fighting with detention officers while being held by local law enforcement.
The Platte County Prosecutor’s Office charged Byron J. Williams, 27, of Kansas City, with a class D felony of damage to jail property, a class A misdemeanor of assault in the fourth degree, a class A misdemeanor of resisting an arrest, and a class D misdemeanor of driving while license was suspended.
At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, an officer with the Riverside Police Department attempted to make a traffic stop near NW Gateway and NW Vivion Road after reportedly observing a vehicle with unlawful temporary tags.
According to court documents, the driver, later identified as Byron Williams of Kansas City, opened his car door demanding to know why he was being pulled over. Due to the driver’s aggressive demeanor, the officer requested immediate backup.
According to court documents, the officer explained there was reasonable suspicion the temporary tag was not genuine, and he requested Williams provide his identification. According to the probable cause statement, Williams initially refused to identify himself and acknowledged he didn’t have a valid driver’s license.
Williams was placed in handcuffs and escorted to the back seat of the patrol vehicle, where he was asked again for his name, date of birth, and social security number. However, the information he provided was not recognized in the officer’s database, according to court documents.
When the police officer confronted the driver, he provided the officer with his actual identification. The police computer database revealed Williams had his driving privileges suspended and was actively on probation and parole for assault and fraud. He allegedly had active arrest warrants against him for assault, resisting arrest, property damage, and larceny in North Kansas City.
According to allegations in court documents, when the officer advised Williams that he was being placed under arrest, Williams became “uncooperative” and attempted to exit the patrol vehicle. At this point, backup arrived at the scene and two officers attempted to buckle Williams into the seat to take him to jail.
Allegedly, Williams became highly aggressive, allegedly kicking an officer and accusing him of being racist. Officers say the situation began to escalate.
According to the allegations, Williams began to bang his head against the window, kicked his foot at the window, and threatened to spit in the officers’ faces.
Authorities say Williams continued to act physically resistant and required the assistance of several officers to be carried out of the patrol vehicle to be booked inside Riverside police headquarters, according to court documents.
According to the allegations, while in a padded cell, Williams banged his head and continuously kicked the door over and over again. Williams allegedly tore parts of the padding from the cell at Riverside police headquarters, causing approximately $2,000 in damage, authorities say.
According to authorities, Williams was observed wrapping a string from his hoodie around his neck, prompting officers to intervene. Officers stopped Williams from harming himself and placed Williams in leg restraints, according to court documents.
Williams was transported to the Platte County Detention Center, by sheriff’s deputies. Upon arrival, authorities allege Williams was combative and uncooperative to the extent eight Platte County deputies needed to place Williams in restraints, according to court documents.
According to court documents, police says Williams’ criminal history includes previous arrests for first degree assault, unlawful possession of a firearm, obstructing police, resisting arrest, and property damage.