Florida Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Child Molestation After Capitol Riot Pardon
A Florida man, Andrew Paul Johnson, was recently sentenced to life in prison for molesting two children. Johnson had previously been convicted for his involvement in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, but was pardoned by former President Donald Trump. Following his pardon, Johnson committed new crimes, leading to his recent conviction for child molestation in Hernando County, Florida.
The investigation into Johnson's child molestation allegations began in July 2025, with one victim reporting that the abuse started in April 2024. Johnson used manipulative tactics, such as promising compensation for being a pardoned Capitol riot defendant and including the child in his will, to prevent the victim from exposing his actions. Explicit messages exchanged on the Discord app revealed Johnson's attempts to engage in inappropriate conversations with the victims.
In August 2024, Johnson was sentenced to one year in prison for misdemeanor charges related to the Capitol riot. Despite attempting to withdraw his guilty plea, he was ultimately sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg. During the riot, Johnson carried a bullhorn and entered the Capitol through a smashed office window. He confronted police officers with aggressive behavior, shouting and cursing at them.
The recent sentencing of Andrew Paul Johnson for child molestation underscores the serious consequences of his actions. Despite being pardoned for his involvement in the Capitol riot, Johnson's subsequent criminal behavior led to a life sentence for his heinous acts. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and justice in addressing crimes against children.