- Net worth
- Unknown
- Crimes
- january 6, weapons, obstruction, post pardon
- Convicted of
- Accused of firing a gun during Jan. 6 Capitol breach (no one injured); case dismissed; later arrested for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault
- Original sentence
- N/A (case dismissed upon pardon)
- Time served
- N/A
Background
John Banuelos was charged in the District of Columbia in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack; prosecutors accused him of firing a gun during the riot, though no one was injured. His case was dismissed following President Trump’s January 2025 blanket pardon. In October 2025 he was arrested in Cicero, Illinois, on a Utah warrant for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault.
The Case
Banuelos was charged in connection with the Capitol breach; prosecutors alleged he fired a gun during the riot. His conduct was part of the January 6 attack, which disrupted the certification of the presidential election and damaged public trust in the peaceful transfer of power. His federal case was dismissed upon the pardon. He had also stabbed and killed a man in Salt Lake City in July 2021 but was not charged after claiming self-defense. In October 2025 he was arrested on a Utah warrant for aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault.
The Pardon
On January 20, 2025, President Trump granted Banuelos 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)
- Granting Pardons and Commutation of Sentences (White House, Jan 20, 2025)
- Former Jan. 6 defendant arrested on kidnapping and aggravated assault charges (NBC News, Nov 2025)
- Pardon of January 6 United States Capitol attack defendants (Wikipedia)