Trump-Pardoned Florida Handyman Found Guilty of Child Sex Abuse
A Florida handyman, previously pardoned by former US President Donald Trump for his involvement in the January 6 US Capitol riot, has now been convicted on multiple child sex abuse charges. Andrew Paul Johnson was found guilty by a jury in Florida on Tuesday for five offenses, marking a stark turn in his legal troubles.
Details of the Conviction and Charges
The jury convicted Johnson of molesting a child under 12, molesting another child under 16, and lewd and lascivious exhibition. However, he was acquitted of one charge related to sending sexual material to a child. This verdict, first reported by NPR, follows his arrest in August, where police reports indicated he sexually abused and molested children over several months.
How the Case Unfolded
The abuse came to light after the mother of one victim discovered that Johnson, posing as her son's "ex-boyfriend," had sent inappropriate messages on the gaming platform Discord. Upon confrontation, her son revealed that Johnson had molested him three times between April 1, 2024, and October 2024, starting when the child was just 11 years old.
According to the police report, Johnson attempted to silence the victim by claiming the Trump administration was paying him $10 million in restitution for being a January 6 defendant. He also told the child he would include him in his will to receive any remaining money, a tactic believed to prevent exposure of the abuse.
Background on Johnson's January 6 Involvement
Johnson had previously pleaded guilty to nonviolent offenses linked to the Capitol riot. In 2024, he was sentenced to one year in prison after prosecutors noted he climbed over broken glass to enter the US Capitol through a smashed office window and encouraged other rioters to follow. He also engaged in disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds for hours before arrest and later spread false claims about the riot on social media, even calling for a second riot.
A sentencing memorandum highlighted his violations of release conditions and a long criminal history. Johnson was among approximately 1,500 January 6 defendants pardoned by Trump early in his second term.
Sentencing and Future Implications
Johnson is scheduled for sentencing in March and could face a life sentence for the child sex abuse convictions. This case underscores the complex legal aftermath for individuals involved in the January 6 events, intertwining with severe criminal charges unrelated to the riot.
