A Florida handyman previously convicted for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and later pardoned by former President Donald Trump has been sentenced to life in prison for child molestation. Andrew Paul Johnson, 45, received the life sentence on Thursday from Hernando County Circuit Judge Stephen Toner after being convicted last month on multiple serious charges.
From Capitol Riot to Child Abuse Conviction
Johnson was among the more than 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the Capitol attack who received clemency from Trump on the former president's first day back in the White House last year. Trump's sweeping act of clemency included pardons, commuted sentences, and ordered dismissals for all those charged. However, Johnson now finds himself facing a much more severe punishment for unrelated crimes.
Details of the Child Molestation Case
According to prosecutors in Hernando County, Florida, Johnson was convicted of two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a child and one count of electronically transmitting material harmful to a minor. Sheriff's deputies began investigating the child molestation allegations against Johnson in July 2025, with one victim reporting that the abuse started around April 2024.
This timeline is particularly significant because the abuse began several months before Johnson was sentenced for his Capitol riot conviction. In August 2024, Chief U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg in Washington had sentenced Johnson to one year behind bars after he pleaded guilty to four misdemeanor charges stemming from the riot.
Manipulative Tactics and Digital Evidence
A sheriff's office report revealed disturbing details about Johnson's manipulation of his victims. According to the report, Johnson told one victim that he expected to be compensated for being a pardoned January 6 defendant and would be putting the child in his will to inherit any leftover money. Investigators believe this tactic was used to prevent the child from exposing the abuse.
Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson's office reported that investigators found sexually explicit messages Johnson exchanged with one victim on the Discord messaging app. In these messages, Johnson attempted to have the victim download another application for more private conversations and encouraged the victim to delete their messages afterward.
Johnson's January 6 Involvement
Johnson, from Seffner, Florida, was actively involved in the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Federal prosecutors stated that he attended Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally near the White House before marching to the Capitol carrying a bullhorn. Johnson entered the building through an office window that other rioters had smashed and later cursed and yelled at police officers after they used tear gas to disperse the mob of Trump supporters.
Despite pleading guilty to four misdemeanor charges related to the riot, Johnson later attempted to withdraw his guilty plea, claiming he was pressured into it. Judge Boasberg rejected this request before sentencing Johnson to one year in prison for the Capitol riot charges.
A Pattern of Post-Pardon Criminal Activity
Johnson represents a concerning pattern among January 6 defendants who have been charged with new crimes since receiving clemency from Trump. His case highlights how individuals pardoned for their involvement in the Capitol attack have subsequently faced serious criminal charges for unrelated offenses.
The life sentence handed down by Judge Toner ensures Johnson will remain incarcerated despite his previous pardon for the January 6 charges. The case continues to draw attention to the consequences of presidential pardons and the subsequent criminal behavior of some recipients.
