Background

Andrew Paul Johnson is a Florida handyman who was pardoned by President Trump in January 2025 for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach. In April 2024 he had pleaded guilty to nonviolent federal charges for entering the Capitol through a broken window and cursing at police; he was sentenced to one year in prison. Months after receiving his sentence, Trump pardoned him along with virtually every other Jan. 6 defendant. In February 2026, a jury in Florida convicted Johnson of five state charges, including molesting a child under 12 and another under 16, lewd and lascivious exhibition, and transmitting harmful materials to a minor by electronic device. In March 2026 he was sentenced to life in prison by the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida.

The Case

Johnson was convicted in federal court in the District of Columbia for his conduct on January 6, 2021. He unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol through a broken window and engaged in disorderly and disruptive conduct for hours, encouraging other rioters to follow him. Prosecutors noted he described himself on social media as an "American Terrorist" and "Proud J6er," and that he violated court orders by posing with a gun while his case was ongoing. Chief Judge James Boasberg sentenced him to one year in prison, in part due to Johnson's lengthy criminal history, including drug possession, driving under the influence and resisting arrest. The Capitol breach disrupted the certification of the presidential election, injured law enforcement and damaged public trust in the peaceful transfer of power.

After receiving a full pardon from President Trump, Johnson was arrested in Florida and charged with child sexual abuse. According to NPR and the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, the abuse took place over many months and included both physical sexual abuse and exposing his genitalia to children; one victim was 11 years old at the time of the abuse. Law enforcement reported that Johnson tried to keep one victim from reporting by promising money he expected to receive from the government after his pardon and by offering to put the victim in his will. In February 2026 a jury found him guilty of five charges, including molesting a child under 12 and another under 16, lewd and lascivious exhibition, and transmitting harmful materials to a minor by electronic device. In March 2026 the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida sentenced him to life in prison, as confirmed by the Office of State Attorney Bill Gladson. His case is among several in which pardoned Jan. 6 defendants have faced new criminal charges after receiving clemency.

The Pardon

On January 20, 2025, President Trump granted Johnson a full pardon under a proclamation covering certain offenses relating to the events at or near the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Sources

• President Trump's Proclamation Granting Pardons and Commutations for Jan. 6 Offenses (DOJ)
• A Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump was convicted of sexually abusing children (NPR, Feb 2026)
• Man pardoned by Trump for attacking US Capitol found guilty of child abuse (The Guardian, Feb 2026)
• Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump gets life sentence for child sex crimes (NBC News, Mar 2026)