Donald Trump’s decision to pardon upwards of 1,500 January 6th insurrectionists within literal moments of his return to office last month is already backfiring in the worst kind of way, as yet another J6 convict has been arrested within just days of being released by the president’s precious pardon.
Andrew Taake was in the midst of serving out a 74-month prison sentence for his violent assault against a law enforcement official during the infamous January 6th Capitol insurrection, only to see his sentence cut short when Donald J. Trump granted him his freedom back in his mass blanket pardon for individuals convicted of crimes related to the violet J6 riot.
However, that freedom was short-lived, at best, as Taake was arrested again just a few short weeks later, this time on disturbing charges of solicitation of a minor.
The Harris County District Attorney announced in a statement on the matter:
At 11:30 this morning, the Harris County District Attorney’s Fugitive Apprehension Section, in close coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies, took Andrew Taake into custody. Taake was wanted in Harris County for online solicitation of a minor, charged in May 2016.
Taake was arrested after a surveillance operation conducted on February 4th confirmed Taake was staying at a residence in Leon County. Taake’s bond in Harris County has been revoked. HCSO will work with authorities in Leon County to transfer Taake to the Harris County Jail.”
Recent reports have confirmed that Taake was a fugitive on the run for several weeks until his arrest yesterday.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said in a statement, “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.”
Taake was first arrested on the solicitation of a minor charges back in 2016, but that case was put on pause when he was arrested for his violent involvement in the Capitol attack.
In a statement made last month, prior to Taake’s arrest, the District Attorney’s office said, “Before Andrew Taake’s release from custody in Florence, Colorado on January 20, a member of our HCSO Fugitive Warrants Division requested that federal authorities hold him, due to his pending warrant in Harris County. That request was filed in 2022. The Bureau of Prisons informed HCDAO they needed a certified warrant to prevent Taake’s release. A clerk faxed a copy of that warrant on 1/15/25, but Taake was released five days later, in accordance with President Trump’s Pardon order.”
Featured image via screen capture