A former pardoned Capitol rioter is now facing sex crimes charges against two children, highlighting the disturbing trend of those involved in the January 6, 2021, insurrection being charged with child sexual abuse.
Andrew Paul Johnson, 44, was one of the 1,500 people charged in connection with the riots on January 6. He pleaded guilty to violent entry into a restricted building and disorderly conduct but attempted to take back his plea months later. After President Donald Trump pardoned him in January 2025, Johnson was arraigned in Florida court on multiple charges of child sex abuse, including molesting a 11-year-old.
Johnson allegedly used the prospect of receiving $10 million as part of reparations for his January 6 arrest to intimidate one of the children into silence. He claimed he would put the victim in his will to receive any money left after his death, with police believing this was done to keep the child from exposing what Andrew had done.
Johnson faces two criminal cases in county court, one for each child, and has pleaded not guilty. His trials are set to start early next year. Two other Capitol rioters have also been charged with child sex crimes: David Daniel and another defendant whose name has not been released due to a lack of public records on the case.
This case highlights the growing list of pardoned January 6 rioters who now face new legal trouble, including those convicted of sexual crimes against children. Trump's pardon policy has created a sense of impunity among some former rioters, emboldening them to continue committing crimes and threatening innocent lives.
The incident also raises questions about Trump's motivations for pardoning these individuals and the lack of accountability among his administration. As The Intercept noted in a recent editorial, "This is not hyperbole: Court orders are being ignored... News outlets that challenge Trump have been banished or put under investigation." The pardon policy has created an authoritarian takeover of the US government, stripping Congress of its power and undermining democratic institutions.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and transparency in the US government. As The Intercept continues to cover this story and hold those in power accountable, we invite you to join us in our mission to defend democracy and press freedom.
Andrew Paul Johnson, 44, was one of the 1,500 people charged in connection with the riots on January 6. He pleaded guilty to violent entry into a restricted building and disorderly conduct but attempted to take back his plea months later. After President Donald Trump pardoned him in January 2025, Johnson was arraigned in Florida court on multiple charges of child sex abuse, including molesting a 11-year-old.
Johnson allegedly used the prospect of receiving $10 million as part of reparations for his January 6 arrest to intimidate one of the children into silence. He claimed he would put the victim in his will to receive any money left after his death, with police believing this was done to keep the child from exposing what Andrew had done.
Johnson faces two criminal cases in county court, one for each child, and has pleaded not guilty. His trials are set to start early next year. Two other Capitol rioters have also been charged with child sex crimes: David Daniel and another defendant whose name has not been released due to a lack of public records on the case.
This case highlights the growing list of pardoned January 6 rioters who now face new legal trouble, including those convicted of sexual crimes against children. Trump's pardon policy has created a sense of impunity among some former rioters, emboldening them to continue committing crimes and threatening innocent lives.
The incident also raises questions about Trump's motivations for pardoning these individuals and the lack of accountability among his administration. As The Intercept noted in a recent editorial, "This is not hyperbole: Court orders are being ignored... News outlets that challenge Trump have been banished or put under investigation." The pardon policy has created an authoritarian takeover of the US government, stripping Congress of its power and undermining democratic institutions.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and transparency in the US government. As The Intercept continues to cover this story and hold those in power accountable, we invite you to join us in our mission to defend democracy and press freedom.
I mean what's going on with these people who get pardoned for rioting but then go around committing child sex abuse? it's like they think they're above the law or something 
and now we're facing a whole new level of disturbing crimes because of Trump's pardon policy. it just goes to show how impunity can be so damaging 
. I mean, who gets $10 million as part of reparations? That's some serious cash, Andrew Paul Johnson must have been counting down the days till he could use that money to, you know, take care of his kids or something 
. And if one of them was gonna expose him, well, that just proves how innocent and law-abiding he is 
. I don't see anything wrong with this whole pardon thing, it's like a big hug for the country 
.
This is just so messed up... Like what kind of monster tries to use a kid's life as leverage for cash? And the fact that it's someone who was pardoned by Trump makes me think about how power can corrupt even well-intentioned people 
.
It's just not adding up. I mean, have you seen all the pardons Trump has been giving out? It's like he's playing a game of "who can get away with the most" 
And now we find out that some of these people are even using their newfound "freedom" to intimidate and harm kids... it's just sickening. I'm not saying Trump is a bad guy or anything, but what's going on here? Is he actually trying to create a culture of impunity among his supporters? 
Anyway, this whole thing just smells fishy to me...
. And it's even more messed up that some of them were pardoned by Trump and thought they could get away with it. I mean, $10 million is a lot of money, but that's not worth the future of two innocent kids 
. I mean, what's wrong with these Capitol rioters? They couldn't even respect other people's boundaries and now they're going to pay for it... badly 
. And what's with the reparations stuff? It's just more manipulation, if you ask me 
.
or is this somethin that's worth actually takin time to think about?
I'm so tired of this kind of thing happening in our country.
This is absolutely shocking and disturbing 
. Newsflash: freedom doesn't mean immunity from justice 
. We need real change in our government, not just empty pardons and lack of accountability 
#JusticeForTheVictims #HoldThePresidentAccountable #TransparencyMatters
