Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Faces New Trial for Child Molestation
A shocking twist in the ongoing saga of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot has emerged as a former defendant, Andrew Johnson, is set to face trial for child molestation charges. Despite being pardoned by President Trump last year, Johnson's troubles are far from over.Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Accused of Child Molestation
Andrew Johnson, a 44-year-old man from Florida, was arrested in July 2025 and charged with molesting a minor for several months in Hernando County. According to court documents, Johnson allegedly tried to silence the victim by offering a payout and claimed he had been 'pardoned' for his role in the Capitol riot.
Johnson's History of Incidents
This is not Johnson's first brush with the law. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to four federal charges related to his involvement in the January 6 riot, including breaking into a private Senate meeting room and menacing police officers. He was sentenced to a year in prison but had yet to serve it when President Trump issued a pardon wiping away his conviction.
New Charges Emerge
The new child molestation charges against Johnson are the latest in a series of post-pardon incidents involving former Jan. 6 defendants. Zachary Alam, another convicted Capitol rioter from Virginia, was arrested in May for breaking and entering a home near Richmond, while Christopher Moynihan, a defendant from upstate New York, is accused of threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Justice System Takes Action
The Florida state prosecutor's office has vowed to pursue the case against Johnson with 'the full weight of the criminal justice system.' If convicted, Johnson could face severe penalties, including imprisonment. The incident serves as a reminder that even those who have been pardoned can still face consequences for their actions.
The case of Andrew Johnson highlights the complexities and challenges of the January 6 riot's aftermath. As the justice system continues to grapple with the fallout, one thing is clear: accountability will be sought, no matter how high or low the perpetrator may have risen in the public eye.
