Pardoned January 6 Rioter Arrested in Texas for Soliciting Sex From a Minor

Andrew Taake, a convicted January 6 rioter who was recently pardoned by President Donald Trump, was arrested in Texas on Tuesday for an outstanding 2016 charge of online solicitation of a minor.

Taake was taken into custody at 11:30 a.m. by the Harris County District Attorney's Fugitive Apprehension Section, in coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies. Authorities tracked him to a residence in Leon County, where a surveillance operation confirmed his location before his arrest.

Taake had previously been in custody at a federal prison in Florence, Colorado, but was released on January 20 following Trump's pardon. The Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) had requested that federal authorities hold him due to his pending state warrant, but officials cited the need for a certified warrant to prevent his release. A copy was faxed on January 15, yet Taake was freed five days later.

"We would like to thank the coordinated efforts of our office's fugitive apprehension section, Leon County Sheriff's Office, and Texas Department of Public Safety for their diligence in getting this suspected child predator back into custody," said Sean Teare, Harris County District Attorney.

Now back in custody, Taake's bond has been revoked, and Harris County officials are coordinating with Leon County authorities to transfer him to the Harris County Jail.