News coming out of Florida and Tennessee has raised serious questions about former President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon large numbers of people involved in violent offenses. Critics argued at the time that many of these individuals were likely to reoffend, and one recent case is drawing particular attention.
Andrew Paul Johnson, a man who took part in the January sixth Capitol riot and publicly celebrated his involvement, is now facing serious new criminal charges. During the riot, video recordings show Johnson pushing others to force their way deeper into the Capitol, shouting that they had not “accomplished anything” until they breached more doors.
After receiving a presidential pardon for his role in the events of January sixth, Johnson did not step out of public view. Instead, according to law enforcement reports, he was arrested in August after a month long investigation by the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities allege he committed multiple offenses involving minors, including lewd and lascivious molestation, lewd exhibition, and sending harmful material to a child.
Investigators say the case began when a mother tipped off authorities about troubling behavior toward two children. According to the affidavit, Johnson allegedly contacted an eleven year old boy on Discord and initiated inappropriate conversations. Police say he then sent the child an iPhone and urged him to keep it hidden from his parents so the communication could continue.
The child told investigators that this later escalated into several incidents in which Johnson allegedly entered the home without permission. The affidavit also claims Johnson tried to use his presidential pardon as a way to influence the child, telling him he had been awarded a large sum of money because of his involvement on January sixth and that he would include the child in his will.
Johnson has been extradited to Florida and is scheduled to appear in court on December tenth to face the charges. The case has intensified debate about whether certain pardons were issued without adequate consideration of public safety and long term risk.