At least 20 people granted clemency by former President Donald Trump have been charged with new crimes. Among them is Jon Donyae Ponder, founder and CEO of a Las Vegas prisoner reentry program. Arrested by Las Vegas police, Ponder marks one of several recidivism cases among those convicted criminals who received pardons or clemency from Trump.
Trump took executive action involving 237 people in his first term. After his 2024 reelection, he extended clemency to over 1,500 Capitol rioters and others. A study by Lawfare found that at least 97 individuals, pardoned for their roles in the Capitol riot, have faced new charges since January 6, 2021. This includes 19 cases occurring after Trump’s clemency on January 20, 2025, his first day of the second term.
Ponder, pardoned during the 2020 Republican National Convention, faces various charges. These include sexual assault-related charges, unauthorized custodial contact, and gross misdemeanors. He remains in custody pending a court appearance.
Ponder appears to be the 20th individual accused of a crime post-pardon by Trump. Lawfare suggests that clemency may have facilitated criminal activities for some.
Andrew Paul Johnson: A January 6 rioter freed by pardon, Johnson was later convicted of child molestation in 2026 and sentenced to life imprisonment. His criminal conduct spanned both before and after his pardon.
Zachary Alam: Pardoned for his role in the January 6 riot, Alam was later convicted of grand larceny and burglary following a home invasion arrest.
Ryan Nichols: Nichols, who assaulted police during the Capitol riot, faced deadly conduct and harassment charges in 2026 after allegedly threatening someone with a gun.
Andrew Taake: Following his pardon for assaulting officers, Taake was arrested in 2025 for online solicitation of a minor.
Edward Kelley: A former Marine, Kelley was pardoned for his Capitol riot involvement. He subsequently received a life sentence in 2025 for plotting to murder FBI agents.
Emily Hernandez: Known for holding a broken nameplate of Nancy Pelosi during the riot, Hernandez was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a fatal DUI crash in 2022.
Daniel Ball: After allegedly using explosives during January 6, Ball was charged with illegal gun possession as a felon. A federal gun charge was later dismissed following his pardon.
David Daniel: Daniel, involved in the January 6 riot, was indicted in 2024 for child pornography production and sexual assault.
Shane Jason Woods: After his pardon, Woods was convicted of aggravated DUI and reckless homicide in 2025, receiving a 17-year sentence.
Theodore Middendorf: Middendorf faces a 19-year sentence for sexual assault of a child, pleading guilty in 2024.
Taylor Taranto: Arrested for illegal gun possession and bomb threats, Taranto was convicted in 2025. References to Trump and the Capitol riot were removed from his sentencing documents.
Brent John Holdridge: Charged with burglary, grand theft, and possession of stolen wire in California, Holdridge was arrested in 2025.
Jonathan Braun: Serving a commuted sentence for drugs and money laundering, Braun violated his supervised release. Convicted of sexual abuse, he was sentenced to 27 months in 2025.
Eliyahu Weinstein: With a commuted 24-year sentence for a real estate scheme, Weinstein was later convicted for defrauding investors of $35 million, earning a 37-year federal sentence.
John Andries: Andries, sentenced for the Capitol entry, violated a peace order in 2025 and received probation.
Bryan Betancur Battisti: Charged with anti-stalking violations and inappropriate public behavior, Battisti faced charges in 2024.
Ryan Yates: Freed after his Capitol riot role, Yates was arrested during a prostitution sting in Florida, posting a $1,000 bond.
Christopher Moynihan: Moynihan pleaded guilty to death threats against a political leader in 2026, receiving probation.
Daniel Tocci: Convicted for possessing child sexual abuse materials, Tocci received a four-year prison sentence. His case links to the January 6 incident, though unrelated charges were omitted in documents.
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