A man who received a presidential pardon for his participation in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot is now facing the consequences of far more serious criminal conduct. David Daniel has negotiated a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in North Carolina on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor and possession of sexually explicit images of children, according to court documents filed on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
The legal documents, signed by Daniel's attorney, reveal a disturbing pattern of criminal behavior spanning multiple years. According to prosecutors, Daniel coerced a minor younger than 12 years old in 2015 and 2016 "to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of the conduct." Federal authorities allege that Daniel used a phone to document the sexually explicit images and stored them on a hard drive.
The charges extend beyond that initial timeframe. In 2021, prosecutors say Daniel coerced another minor under the age of 18 "to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct." In this instance, federal authorities allege that Daniel instructed the alleged victim on what kind of child pornography he wanted, and the victim sent the images to Daniel's iPhone using an online messaging application.
Federal investigators discovered the child pornography in November 2023, the same month Daniel was arrested in connection with the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol. The timing of these parallel investigations underscores the separate nature of the criminal proceedings.
Daniel was among approximately 1,500 individuals who participated in the January 6 riot and received pardons from President Trump in January 2025. However, earlier this year, a federal judge ruled that the presidential pardon did not extend to Daniel's child pornography case. This judicial determination allowed federal prosecutors to continue pursuing the sexual exploitation charges independently of the Capitol riot case.
The distinction highlights an important legal principle: presidential pardons apply only to the specific offenses for which they are granted. While Daniel's pardon absolved him of criminal liability for his actions on January 6, it provided no protection against prosecution for entirely separate criminal conduct, particularly crimes as serious as child sexual exploitation.
The plea agreement represents a significant development in the case, though the specific terms of the deal have not been publicly disclosed. Federal sentencing guidelines for child exploitation offenses typically carry substantial prison terms, reflecting the severity with which the justice system treats crimes against children. A sentencing date has not yet been announced by the court.
This case serves as a stark reminder that presidential clemency, while powerful, has defined limits. It also underscores the ongoing work of federal law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting crimes involving the sexual exploitation of minors, regardless of other legal proceedings involving the accused.