A wave of sweeping pardons issued by former President Donald Trump has led to renewed law enforcement activity targeting several previously convicted Jan. 6 defendants.
Among them is Andrew Taake, a 36-year-old Texas man, who is now wanted for an unrelated 2016 charge of soliciting a minor online, according to prosecutors.
Taake is one of nearly 1,600 people pardoned last week in connection with the Capitol riot. His release, and that of others, has raised concerns as several of the pardoned individuals are now facing new or ongoing legal troubles.
Andrew Taake: Texas Man Wanted for Solicitation Charge
Taake had been serving time in a federal prison in Colorado for assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Authorities say he attacked officers using bear spray and a metal whip. Despite a pending warrant from Texas for soliciting a 17-year-old online, Taake was released on January 20 after Trump’s mass pardons.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office said they are working to locate and arrest Taake but acknowledged that re-arresting him will require significant resources.
Other Jan. 6 Defendants Facing Legal Trouble
Indiana: Matthew Huttle Fatally Shot After Police Altercation
In Indiana, Matthew Huttle, 42, was killed by police following a traffic stop just days after his Jan. 6 charges were dismissed. Authorities said that an altercation occurred between Huttle and the officer, but details of the incident have not been fully released.
Huttle had been pardoned for a misdemeanor offense related to entering the Capitol on Jan. 6, for which he had served six months in custody. He was known to have recorded parts of the riot while inside the Capitol.
Florida: Daniel Ball Arrested on Federal Gun Charges
In Florida, Daniel Ball was arrested on federal gun charges shortly after his release from custody for participating in the Capitol riot. Authorities say Ball, who threw an explosive device at police officers during the riot, was found carrying a firearm as a convicted felon.
Ball’s previous convictions include domestic violence by strangulation in 2017 and battery on a law enforcement officer in 2022. His most recent arrest came after authorities searched his home during the investigation of his involvement in the riot.
Kentucky: Daniel Wilson Faces Firearms Charges
A Kentucky man, Daniel Wilson, is also facing new legal challenges after being pardoned by Trump. Federal authorities are seeking to return him to prison for firearms offenses that were discovered during a search of his home following the Jan. 6 incident.
Concerns Over Mass Pardons
The series of arrests and incidents involving pardoned individuals has sparked criticism over the sweeping nature of Trump’s mass pardons.
Many of those released were convicted of violent offenses or had criminal records unrelated to Jan. 6. Legal experts and law enforcement officials have expressed concerns that the mass pardons complicated ongoing state-level prosecutions and undermined accountability for participants in the Capitol riot.
In cases like Taake’s, where pending charges were overlooked, prosecutors are now struggling to re-arrest individuals, raising questions about coordination between federal and state law enforcement agencies.
The aftermath of Trump’s mass pardons highlights the challenges posed by sudden large-scale releases of convicted individuals.
As authorities work to track down fugitives like Taake and respond to new criminal charges against others, concerns remain over how these pardons will affect public safety and accountability. With ongoing investigations into the January 6 attack, the legal battles stemming from the riot are far from over.