Pardoned Jan. 6 Capitol Rioter Faces Child Abuse Charges

A participant in the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, who subsequently received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, has been apprehended in Florida on multiple child sexual abuse allegations. Local law enforcement officials confirmed the arrest of 44-year-old Andrew Paul Johnson, who was initially taken into custody in August in Tennessee before being extradited to Florida.

According to arrest documentation, Johnson is currently facing serious charges in Florida, including lewd and lascivious child molestation of a minor under 12 years old, lewd and lascivious child molestation of a minor between 12 and 16 years old, lewd and lascivious exhibition, and transmission of material harmful to a minor. These charges were first brought to public attention by The Intercept earlier this week. Records indicate Johnson is being held at the Hernando County Detention Center in Spring Hill, Florida.

Investigation Details Emerge

A probable cause affidavit sheds light on the allegations, stating that the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation in July after receiving a report. This report detailed that “two juveniles had fallen victim to lewd and lascivious acts over a many-month span.”

Investigators spoke with the mother of one of the children involved, who identified Johnson as her former boyfriend who had previously resided in their home. The mother recounted discovering “inappropriate” messages sent by Johnson to her son via the Discord messaging platform. When she questioned her son about these messages and whether Johnson had engaged in any “inappropriate” behavior, her son reportedly disclosed that Johnson had “molested him three times

Source: The Guardian