Several individuals from Florida, previously involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, are now facing new criminal charges despite having been pardoned by former President Donald Trump. The incident, which took place five years ago, saw a violent mob storm the Capitol in an effort to overturn the certification of former President Joe Biden’s election victory. Tragically, that day resulted in five deaths and numerous injuries.
Approximately 1,500 individuals were charged with federal offenses linked to the riot, including serious felonies and misdemeanors. Florida led the nation with 153 arrests related to the Capitol breach, with at least 33 of those individuals coming from the Tampa Bay area, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice. On January 6, 2025, Trump granted pardons or commuted sentences for all those charged.
Despite these pardons, three men from the Tampa Bay area are now confronting serious new allegations that are unrelated to the Capitol events.
New Criminal Charges Unfold
Andrew Johnson, a 44-year-old Tampa Bay-area resident, was initially arrested for his role in the Capitol riot, during which he reportedly entered through a broken window. In the spring of 2024, he pleaded guilty to charges of violently entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct, among others, and received a pardon from Trump in January 2025.
However, in July 2025, Johnson was arrested again in Hernando County on multiple charges of child sexual abuse. A probable cause affidavit alleges that Johnson molested his girlfriend’s 11-year-old son three times in 2024, including twice at their home in Tarpon Springs. The affidavit reveals that Johnson claimed he had been pardoned for the Capitol incident and even suggested he would leave $10 million to the boy in his will, a tactic believed to be aimed at preventing the child from disclosing the abuse. Johnson has pleaded not guilty to these new charges.
Daniel Ball, another individual involved in the January 6 riot, also faces new legal challenges. According to the Department of Justice, Ball threw an explosive device into the entrance of the Capitol, injuring several officers. After Trump dismissed Ball’s case, he was re-arrested on felony firearm charges due to his prior felony record, which included domestic violence offenses.
Similarly, Jarod Hawks, a 44-year-old from Port Orange, was accused of using a “Keep America Great” sign as a battering ram against police on January 6. He faced multiple charges, including assault on a federal officer, before his case was dismissed by Trump. Since then, Hawks has been arrested multiple times on charges including battery and burglary. His most recent arrest occurred in November 2025 for battery and contempt of court.
These developments highlight a troubling pattern among some individuals previously involved in the January 6 insurrection, raising questions about the lasting impact of these events on their lives and the communities they are part of.
As these cases unfold, the implications for Johnson, Ball, and Hawks serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing consequences stemming from that fateful day in January 2021.
