A former San Francisco 49ers running back is facing multiple charges after deputies say he ran from them on foot during a traffic stop in West Hollywood this week. Joseph Williams, 33, was booked on suspicion of vandalism, resisting or obstructing an officer, receiving stolen property, trespassing and violating the terms of his probation or supervised release, and he remained held on $50,000 bail as of Thursday.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s account relayed by NBC Los Angeles, Williams first drew deputies’ attention around 4 p.m. on Oct. 28 near La Brea and Fountain Avenues in West Hollywood. Deputies pulled him over, but that initial stop ended without incident, and he was released with only a verbal warning.
The encounter did not end there. Deputies stopped Williams a second time, and he allegedly got out of his car and ran from them on foot rather than surrendering, per the sheriff’s department’s telling of events. Deputies eventually caught up with him on Formosa Avenue near Romaine Street, also in West Hollywood, where he was taken into custody.
A Felony Warrant Surfaces During the Stop
Investigators determined that Williams had an outstanding felony warrant for receiving stolen property. Deputies also said he fled on foot during the second encounter.
Beyond the stolen property allegation tied to the warrant, Williams was also booked on suspicion of vandalism, resisting or obstructing an officer, trespassing and violating the terms of his probation or supervised release. The report did not detail the specific conduct underlying each individual charge.
From NFL Draft Pick to West Hollywood Arrest
Williams is a former professional football player who played for the San Francisco 49ers. The former Utah running back was selected by the 49ers in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, with the San Francisco 49ers noting he went with the 121st overall pick that year. His tenure with the team was relatively brief; The Athletic reported the 49ers waived him roughly 16 months after drafting him. NFL.com's player database still lists him as a running back among its historical player records.
No court filing, booking record or sheriff’s department release independent of the NBC Los Angeles report was available detailing whether Williams has entered a plea, made a court appearance or retained an attorney. Those details remain unclear at this stage.
