Andrew Paul Johnson, the 45-year-old Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot participant previously covered in this series for his February conviction on child sex offenses, was sentenced Thursday to life in prison in Florida's Fifth Judicial Circuit. The crimes followed his 2025 pardon by President Donald Trump, after which he boasted online about his release.
Andrew Paul Johnson, 45, of Florida—who was convicted in February on charges including lewd or lascivious molestation of victims under 12 and 12-15, lewd or lascivious exhibition (two counts), and transmission of material harmful to a minor—was sentenced to life in prison Thursday.
As detailed in prior coverage, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office investigation began in July 2025 after a report of sex offenses in Brooksville, Florida. Two juvenile victims (a boy and a girl) reported inappropriate touching by Johnson, who had entered their lives in 2023 via their mother at a political rally and stayed as a handyman. Authorities found explicit Discord messages; Johnson urged deletion and private apps.
Victims, interviewed at the Children's Advocacy Center, described incidents, gifts to silence them, and Johnson's father-figure role enabling abuse. They testified at trial.
Johnson's Jan. 6 charges (entering restricted areas, disorderly conduct) led to a 2024 guilty plea, one-year sentence, and pardon by President Trump on January 20, 2025. An account linked to him posted 'Free! At last!' on X the next day, later mentioning potential Trump restitution.
