Andrew Johnson, a man who received a presidential pardon for his actions during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, is now scheduled to face a criminal trial next month on child molestation charges. The case was first reported by CBS News, which detailed the new allegations and the timeline following his clemency.
Johnson was arrested in July 2025, roughly six months after President Donald Trump issued a sweeping pardon covering more than 1,500 defendants connected to the Capitol riot. Prosecutors allege the abuse began in 2024 in Hernando County, Florida, and continued for several months.
The 44-year-old is currently being held in custody in Florida and has pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled to begin on February 9.
The case adds to scrutiny of post-pardon arrests
Before receiving clemency, Johnson had pleaded guilty to four federal charges tied to the January 6 attack. Court records show he admitted to climbing through a broken window to enter the U.S. Capitol, breaking into a private U.S. Senate meeting room, and verbally confronting police officers during the riot. In August 2024, he was sentenced to one year in prison, but the presidential pardon erased both the conviction and the remaining portion of his sentence. Trump’s use of executive power has continued to draw attention in other contexts as well, including concerns tied to leaked diplomatic messages involving Greenland.
The current case includes allegations that Johnson attempted to influence the victim after the abuse occurred. A police affidavit states he claimed to have been “pardoned for storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021” and said he would receive $10 million as a result of being a “Jan 6er.” Investigators say he told the victim he would include them in his will and leave them any remaining money. Authorities also noted that Johnson was considered transient at the time of his arrest and was possibly sleeping in a bed in the back of a van he was driving.
Prosecutors in Hernando County have emphasized the seriousness of the charges. A spokesman for the state attorney’s office said cases involving the exploitation and molestation of minors are treated with the highest priority and that defendants convicted of such crimes should face the full weight of the criminal justice system. The office also indicated that if Johnson were released before trial, he would be required to wear a GPS monitor and appear in person for all court dates, reflecting broader debates over enforcement credibility that have surfaced in recent scrutiny of controversial appointments.
Johnson remains in custody as he awaits his February trial date on the child molestation charges.
Published: Jan 20, 2026 04:30 pm