Nationwide — Andrew Paul Johnson, a 45-year-old man from Seffner, Florida, who was previously pardoned by Trump for storming the U.S. Capitol, was sentenced to life in prison for molesting two children. Authorities say he abused the kids months after his Capitol conviction and tried to use his pardon to manipulate one victim.
Johnson, who was a handyman, joined the January 6 riot carrying a bullhorn. He entered the Capitol through a broken office window, shouted at police, and later pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor charges, serving a one-year sentence.
According to WLBT, the investigation into the child molestation case began in July 2025. One victim told deputies the abuse started in April 2024, after Johnson’s Capitol-related sentencing. Prosecutors charged him with two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and one count of transmitting material harmful to a minor.
Authorities uncovered sexually explicit messages Johnson sent to a victim on Discord. He encouraged moving the conversation to a private app and asked the child to delete the messages. Officials said he also offered the victim a portion of his pardon-related benefits to prevent them from speaking out.
Hernando County Circuit Judge Stephen Toner handed down the life sentence. Prosecutors noted Johnson’s case reflects a broader trend of January 6 defendants committing serious crimes even after receiving Trump’s pardons.