Texas man arrested for soliciting a minor after Trump pardon for January 6 involvement

In the United States, a 36-year-old man named Andrew Taake from Houston was apprehended by law enforcement agencies in Leon County, Texas, on February 4, 2025. This arrest came more than two weeks after he was released from federal prison on January 20, 2025, following a pardon issued by former President Donald Trump for his actions during the January 6 Capitol riot in 2021. Taake had previously been sentenced to over six years in prison for his participation in the attack, during which he physically assaulted Capitol Police officers using a metal whip and bear spray. The legal troubles for Taake have now escalated as he faces serious allegations that date back to 2016, involving solicitation of a minor. Reports indicate that Taake is accused of attempting to initiate a sexual relationship with someone he believed to be under 17 years old via an online messaging service. Authorities have stated that they used surveillance operations to locate Taake, leading to his arrest by a Houston-area fugitive task force. Despite earlier attempts by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office to keep Taake detained due to the outstanding warrant related to the solicitation charge, federal officials reportedly required a certified warrant to deny his release from federal custody. This situation illustrates the complexities and challenges of managing pardons, especially in cases where multiple legal issues are involved. As Taake now faces this new charge, he is currently in custody in Leon County, awaiting transfer to the Harris County Jail to address these allegations. Taake's prior conviction related to the Capitol riot significantly influenced his sentencing, where he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of assaulting officers during the January 6 insurrection. His previous actions had attracted significant media attention, particularly one incident where he boasted of his involvement in the riot through an online dating app conversation, which led to an FBI investigation and subsequent arrest in July 2021. Following his release just weeks ago, the resurfacing of earlier charges suggests ongoing legal ramifications for those involved in the Capitol riot and highlights the lasting impact of their actions both during and after the event.