URGENT UPDATE: Pardoned January 6 rioter Andrew Johnson is set to stand trial for child molestation charges on February 9, 2026, following his arrest in July 2025. This troubling case comes nearly six months after Johnson was among over 1,500 defendants pardoned by former President Trump for their roles in the Capitol riot.
Johnson, aged 44, is accused of molesting a victim for several months in Hernando County, Florida. Authorities report that he is currently in custody as he awaits trial. According to court documents reviewed by CBS News, Johnson allegedly attempted to silence the victim by offering a payout, claiming he had received a $10 million reward for his actions during the January 6 insurrection.
In a police affidavit, it was disclosed that Johnson told the victim he had been “pardoned for storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021,” and promised to include the victim in his will to receive any remaining funds. This shocking manipulation adds another layer of complexity to an already serious situation.
Johnson’s criminal history includes a guilty plea to four federal charges related to the January 6 riot, for which he was sentenced to a year in prison in August 2024. He was accused of breaking into a private U.S. Senate meeting room and threatening police during the chaotic events. Photos captured during the riot show Johnson climbing through a broken window of the U.S. Capitol.
Just a year ago, Trump’s pardon erased Johnson’s conviction and allowed him to evade further prison time. However, in this new case, police allege that Johnson was living as a “transient” in July 2025, reportedly sleeping in a van while facing these grave allegations.
Johnson has pleaded not guilty to the current charges. A spokesperson for the Florida state prosecutor emphasized the importance of addressing cases involving the exploitation of minors, stating, “Defendants who commit these crimes deserve to be punished with the full weight of the criminal justice system.”
If released before trial, Johnson will be monitored with GPS tracking and required to attend all court appearances. The prosecutor’s office is withholding further comments until after the trial’s verdict.
Johnson is not alone; he is part of a troubling trend where pardoned January 6 defendants are facing new criminal charges. For instance, Zachary Alam, another convicted rioter, was arrested in May 2025 for breaking and entering. He was found guilty in 2025 and is awaiting sentencing.
Similarly, Christopher Moynihan, also a Capitol riot defendant, was arrested last month for allegedly threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Meanwhile, John Banuelos, who was pardoned before facing trial for firing a gun during the Capitol events, is currently in custody in Utah related to a 2018 kidnapping and assault case.
As the February trial date approaches, many are watching closely to see how this case unfolds and what it means for other pardoned rioters facing similar legal challenges. The implications of Johnson’s trial will likely resonate far beyond the courtroom as discussions around justice and accountability in the wake of the January 6 riots continue to evolve.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story progresses.
