A man who got a new lease on life after getting jailed for his role in the January 2021 US Capitol riots is back behind bars again. Andrew Paul Johnson was handed a life sentence for several charges, including two counts of lewdness and lascivious molestation of a child.
It was in February when Johnson was convicted for the new crimes. County circuit judge Stephen Toner handed down the sentence on the Florida handyman, The Guardian reported.
Throwback to Dark Johnson's Shady Activities
An investigation into the shady activities of Johnson started in July 2025. It was here that one of the victims revealed how Johnson started his abusive ways as early as April 2024. One of the disturbing revelations was when he allegedly told one of the victims that he would be putting the child in his will to inherit any leftover money.
'This tactic was believed to be used to keep [the child] from exposing what Andrew had done,' according to a sheriff's report.
Aside from this, tangible evidence was discovered by investigators. Found were sexually explicit messages between Johnson and one of his victims done on the Discord app.
It was revealed by Bill Gladson, the fifth judicial circuit state attorney, that Johnson tried to convince the victim to download another app for more private conversations. The 45-year-old also allegedly instructed the victim to delete the messages afterward according to the State Attorney's office.
Allegations of Victim Bribery
Johnson appeared very aware that if caught, he would be in a bigger mess. This was proven in interviews with two of his victims.
One of the victims shared how Johnson tried to bribe them by promising to give gifts and food to keep them quiet. The unidentified victim also added that Johnson explained that this was necessary since he was aware of the consequences.
For those who may not know Johnson, he was the rioter who carried a bullhorn to the Capitol. He made his way into the premises through an open office window that was smashed by other rioters before him. Aside from that, he was singled out as the person who cursed police officers who used tear gas to disperse Trump supporters.
With his sentencing, Johnson becomes the latest pardoned individual by Trump in January to head back to prison. Before Johnson, Bryan Betancur was arrested in an assault and battery incident aboard a Metro train.
Before Johnson and Betancur, Jake Lang was also apprehended for making threatening statements to an officer he crossed paths with at the Capitol, NBC News reported.
Lang was seen on captured video telling Metropolitan Police Cmdr. Jason Bagshaw that he should be put down like a dead dog and hung in front of the Capitol. He now faces misdemeanor charges with prosecutors branding his statements as threats. He is scheduled to appear in court on 24 March.
There were nearly 1,600 people who were pardoned by Trump for their roles in the January 2021 riot. With Lang, Betancur and Johnson incurring new offences, it will be interesting if more will follow their plight.
