Man Arrested After Assault Charges, Previously Pardoned for Capitol Riot Incident
A man previously pardoned by President Trump for allegedly firing a weapon during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot has recently been arrested on charges of brutally assaulting a woman three years prior to that event, according to law enforcement officials.
John Banuelos, a 40-year-old from Utah, was taken into custody by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Chicago on October 17, as he was leaving a fast food restaurant in a carpool. This information was shared in a social media statement released last Friday.
A warrant had been issued for Banuelos, who resides in Salt Lake City, on October 1. He faces serious charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault, police report.
Banuelos is accused of attacking a woman in the Salt Lake City area back in June 2018, three years before his alleged participation in the Capitol riot. According to court documents obtained by CBS, he had invited the woman to his home under false pretenses, claiming to host a party. The indictment states he punched her shortly after she entered the premises.
The documents describe a horrifying attack where Banuelos allegedly punched the victim in the face and threatened her life, eventually dragging her to the ground and causing her to hit her head. Other accusations include sexual assault and violent acts towards her, as well as a moment where he forcibly removed her clothing and physically threw her.
Reports indicate that Banuelos also strangled the victim, applying significant pressure for several seconds during the encounter.
The woman reportedly told investigators that she feared for her life during the assault. While Banuelos has faced charges related to the January 6 incident in the past, those charges were dismissed following a clemency order from President Trump that affected over 1,500 individuals involved in the Capitol riot.
Banuelos was notably the only rioter accused of pulling out a firearm and discharging a shot during the “Stop the Steal” rally. Surveillance footage from that day captured him climbing scaffolding and, shortly after, brandishing his gun and firing two shots into the air. Fortunately, no injuries were reported from that incident.
Banuelos had faced multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to the Capitol riot before receiving his pardon.
“No amount of pardon can change the tragic truth of what happened on January 6, 2021,” noted Judge Tanya Chutkan during a January hearing, which resulted in the dismissal of the pending case against him.
Currently, Banuelos remains in custody at the Cook County Jail on suspicion of assault, as authorities continue their investigation.
