Fugitive Jan. 6 rioter pardoned by Trump now faces kidnapping and sexual assault charges

Location & Subject Name:
In Cook County, Illinois, authorities have arrested John Banuelos, a 40-year-old suburban resident, who once faced federal charges for his alleged role in the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol. He is now accused of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault in Utah. ( )

Subject Background & Prior Charges:
John Banuelos was previously charged in connection with the Capitol riot — prosecutors accused him of firing a gun during the breach. () That case was eventually dismissed following a mass pardon issued by Donald Trump for more than 1,500 individuals involved in the events of January 6. ( ) Thus, Banuelos’s past “federal” legal exposure was effectively wiped out or reduced due to that executive decision.

After the pardon, Banuelos still faced outstanding charges in another jurisdiction. On October 1, 2025, Utah authorities issued a warrant accusing him of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault. Officials indicated he was being sought for allegedly abducting and sexually assaulting a person in Utah. ()

Recent Arrest & Details:
On October 17, 2025, Banuelos was apprehended by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit in cooperation with the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. He was located in Cicero, Illinois — a suburb of Chicago. ()

Law enforcement had established surveillance near 29th Street and Cicero Avenue, where Banuelos was seen entering a fast-food restaurant parking lot. He left the location and entered a rideshare vehicle, where deputies stopped the car and confirmed his identity before making the arrest.  )

As of the last reports, Banuelos remains in custody at the Cook County Jail, awaiting further proceedings. His extradition to Utah or transfer to that jurisdiction has not yet been publicly confirmed. ()

Why This Case Is Significant:

1. Link between Jan. 6 pardon and new allegations:
   Banuelos’s story illustrates how a federal pardon can clear or pause legal matters tied to January 6, yet leave individuals subject to subsequent or unrelated criminal liability. Even after pardon, the new Utah charges show that prior behavior or additional offenses may still expose people to legal risk.
2. Severity of current allegations:
   Aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault are considered among the most serious crimes in Utah. Prosecutors must gather evidence, witness statements, forensic data, and possibly other jurisdictions’ cooperation. The case underscores the potential for previously radicalized or violent individuals to commit further offenses post-pardons.
3. Impact on justice and public trust:
   The combination of violent participation in the Capitol riot, an ensuing pardon, and then fresh grave allegations contributes to broader concerns about accountability. Victims and the public may question how effective legal oversight has been in tracking or supervising individuals whose prior conduct was egregious.
4. Geographic complexity:
   The interplay of Illinois (Cook County), Washington D.C. (Capitol riot), and Utah (new charges) emphasizes how criminal conduct can stretch across multiple states — complicating investigation, extradition, and prosecution. Law-enforcement agencies must coordinate intensely across jurisdictional lines.

Next Steps & What to Watch:

• Utah prosecutors will likely file formal charges and present a case for custody, extradition, or detention hearings for Banuelos.
• Investigators may delve into how the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault occurred: motives, victims, location, timeline, and evidence collected so far.
• Defense teams may explore issues such as Banuelos’s prior pardon status, alleged mental health or radicalization history, and any potential challenges to jurisdiction or evidence.
• Public concern could deepen regarding the efficacy of pardons, monitoring of former rioters, and the justice system’s capacity to handle complex, multi-state cases involving violent crime.

Summary:
In Cook County, Illinois, 40-year-old John Banuelos — once charged for firing a gun during the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot and later cleared via a presidential pardon — has been arrested on new and severe accusations of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault in Utah. His arrest on October 17, 2025, follows a multi-jurisdiction investigation and flags significant issues about accountability, cross-state criminal conduct, and the consequences of executive clemency.