Trump‑pardoned Jan. 6 participant arrested in Florida on multiple child sexual‑abuse charges

Andrew Paul Johnson, 44, a participant in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol who was pardoned earlier this year, has been arrested and extradited to Florida on multiple child sexual‑abuse charges, authorities say.

Charges and allegations

Johnson was taken into custody in August in Tennessee and transported to Hernando County, Florida, where arrest records list counts that include lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12, lewd and lascivious molestation of a child between 12 and 16, lewd and lascivious exhibition, and transmission of material harmful to a minor. Court records show he is being held at the Hernando County Detention Center in Spring Hill.

Probable cause and investigation

A probable cause affidavit filed by investigators says the Hernando County sheriff’s office received a report in July alleging two juveniles had been subjected to lewd and lascivious acts over several months. The affidavit states that officers interviewed the mother of one child, who said she discovered what she described as inappropriate messages from Johnson on the child’s Discord account. The mother identified Johnson as her ex‑boyfriend and a former resident of the home.

The child reportedly told investigators that Johnson molested him three times between April 1, 2024, and October 2024, beginning when the boy was 11 years old. Investigators also allege Johnson told the child he had been pardoned for storming the Capitol, claimed he was being awarded $10,000,000 as a "jan 6er," and said he would leave the child money in his will — a claim authorities say may have been used to deter reporting.

Legal status and background

Johnson has pleaded not guilty to the Florida charges. He was among roughly 1,500 people charged in connection with the January 6 attack who received pardons or commutations earlier this year. According to federal court records, Johnson unlawfully entered the Capitol on January 6 through a breached window on the Lower West Terrace and was later arrested that day for violating a Washington, D.C., curfew.

Documents show Johnson pleaded guilty in April 2024 to several January 6‑related offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct, violent entry, and parading in a Capitol building. His later attempt to withdraw that plea was denied.

Broader context

The arrest follows other recent law enforcement actions involving individuals pardoned for January 6‑related offenses. In recent months, pardoned individuals have faced a range of criminal charges, from threats against public officials to more serious plotted attacks and local criminal arrests.

Help and resources

If you are in the United States and need support or wish to report child abuse, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline at 800‑422‑4453 or visit their website for resources. For adult survivors, help is available at ascasupport.org. In the UK, call the NSPCC for children at 0800 1111 or adults concerned about a child at 0808 800 5000. In Australia, contact Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or Bravehearts at 1800 272 831; adult survivors can call Blue Knot Foundation at 1300 657 380. Additional international resources are available through Child Helplines International.