On January 6, 2021, supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol in a violent attempt to overturn the certification of President Joe Biden‘s electoral victory. This unprecedented event resulted in five fatalities and numerous injuries, ultimately leading to around 1,500 individuals charged with federal crimes. Florida recorded the highest number of arrests related to the Capitol breach, with 153 individuals charged. Among them, at least 33 individuals hail from the Tampa Bay area. Despite receiving pardons or commuted sentences from Trump on January 20, 2025, three Florida defendants are now facing new, unrelated criminal charges.
New Charges for Florida Defendants
One of the defendants, Andrew Johnson, 44, was previously arrested for entering the Capitol through a broken window. In spring 2024, he pleaded guilty to charges of violently entering a restricted building and disorderly conduct. Following his pardon in 2025, he was arrested again in July 2025 in Hernando County on multiple charges related to child sexual abuse.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Johnson is accused of molesting his girlfriend’s 11-year-old son on three occasions in 2024, including twice at their Tarpon Springs home. The affidavit alleges that Johnson used his pardon as a means to manipulate the child, claiming he would receive $10 million for being a “Jan 6’er” and suggested he would include the boy in his will. Johnson has pleaded not guilty to these new charges.
Additional Arrests Following Pardons
Another individual, Daniel Ball, from Homosassa, faces serious allegations after his January 6 case was dismissed. The Department of Justice reported that Ball threw an explosive device into the Capitol entrance, injuring several officers. Following his pardon, Ball was re-arrested on felony firearm charges due to a previous felony record that included domestic violence and strangulation.
Similarly, Jarod Hawks, a 44-year-old from Port Orange, was involved in violent actions during the Capitol riot. He was accused of using a “Keep America Great” sign as a battering ram against police and was charged with multiple felonies, including assault on a federal officer. After his case was dismissed by Trump, Hawks has faced several new charges, including battery and contempt of court, as indicated by Volusia County jail records.
The situation regarding these individuals raises questions about accountability and the legal repercussions of actions taken during the January 6 Capitol riot. As these new charges unfold, the implications for the defendants and the broader context of the Capitol breach continue to develop.