Las Vegas Aces guard Riquna Williams was arrested Tuesday on nine charges of domestic violence.
Williams was released from custody Wednesday, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Williams, 33, is facing nine counts, including three felony counts of domestic battery by strangulation, one felony count of assault constituting domestic violence with a deadly weapon, one felony count of coercion constituting domestic violence with threat or use of physical force, and four misdemeanor counts of domestic battery in the first degree.
Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Rebecca Saxe released Williams without bail due to her lack of criminal history and ties to the community, according to the Review-Journal, and Williams has been placed on alcohol monitoring.
“As an organization, we condemn domestic violence of any kind,” the Aces said in a statement. “At this time, Riquna Williams will be precluded from participating in team activities.”
Williams was previously arrested in April 2019 and charged with two felony counts, including domestic assault and threatening a person with a firearm.
Las Vegas Aces player Riquna Williams makes an initial court appearance Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Las Vegas Justice Court.
The 2019 arrest report said Williams forced her way into a Florida home and struck her girlfriend in the head before pulling a gun on a man.
Prosecutors dropped the burglary and assault with a firearm charges, per the Review-Journal.
Riquna Williams #2 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after a three-point shot against the Phoenix Mercury during the second half in Game Four of the 2021 WNBA semifinals. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
She did not speak during Wednesday’s court hearing, according to the Review-Journal.
“The court does have concerns regarding the extremely violent nature of the allegations in this case, that they were alleged to have occurred over an extended period of time,” Saxe said Wednesday during Williams’ court appearance, according to the Review-Journal.
WNBA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson said in a statement that the league is aware of the situation.
“We are monitoring the situation and have no further comment at this time,” Carmichael Jackson said in the statement.
Williams helped the Aces win their first championship last season, scoring 17 points in the title-clinching Game 4 victory, but has not played this season due to a lower back injury.
— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) July 26, 2023
