A Florida man who received a presidential pardon for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot now faces life in prison after being convicted of molesting two children. The case reveals disturbing allegations that the abuse continued even while the perpetrator awaited sentencing for his federal crimes.
The Criminal Case Against Andrew Paul Johnson
Andrew Paul Johnson of Seffner, Florida, received a life sentence from Hernando County Circuit Judge Stephen Toner after being convicted last month on two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child and one count of electronically transmitting harmful material to a minor. Sheriff’s deputies launched their investigation in July 2025, discovering that one victim reported abuse beginning around April 2024. This timeline places the start of the abuse several months before Johnson received his sentence for participating in the Capitol riot.
Investigators uncovered sexually explicit messages Johnson exchanged with a victim through the Discord messaging app. According to State Attorney Bill Gladson’s office, Johnson attempted to move conversations to more private platforms and encouraged his victim to delete messages afterward. Sheriff’s office reports reveal Johnson told one victim he expected financial compensation as a pardoned January 6 defendant and promised to include the child in his will. Authorities believe this tactic aimed to silence the victim and prevent exposure of his crimes.
His Role in the Capitol Riot
On January 6, 2021, Johnson carried a bullhorn while marching from Trump’s rally near the White House to the Capitol building. Federal prosecutors documented his entry through an office window that other rioters had already smashed. Police body camera footage captured Johnson cursing and yelling at officers after they deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd of Trump supporters. He later received a presidential pardon for his federal charges related to the riot.
Justice Served for Vulnerable Victims
The life sentence ensures Johnson will spend his remaining years behind bars, unable to harm more children. The case demonstrates that presidential pardons for federal crimes do not protect individuals from prosecution for state-level offenses. Law enforcement’s investigation and successful prosecution brought justice for two young victims who suffered unthinkable abuse. The conviction sends a clear message that crimes against children will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, regardless of political considerations or federal pardons.