North Carolina Man Facing Child Pornography Charges May Benefit from Trump Pardons

North Carolina Man Facing Child Pornography Charges May Benefit from Trump Pardons

David Paul Daniel, a 37-year-old resident of Mint Hill, North Carolina, pleaded guilty in January 2025 to assaulting police officers during the January 6th Capitol Hill riots. However, he was also arrested on child pornography charges in September 2024.

Following his January 6th guilty plea, Daniel's home was searched, and authorities allegedly found child sex abuse images involving Daniel and a female minor under the age of 12. These images reportedly dated back to between 2015 and 2019.

The investigation also revealed a statement from the minor alleging sexual abuse by Daniel. Additionally, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office had opened a statutory rape investigation in March 2023, and police found images of child sex abuse involving a second minor.

Daniel was charged with possession of child pornography, sexual exploitation of a minor related to sexual assault, and trafficking of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty to these charges.

With Trump's recent pardons for individuals involved in the January 6th riots, there is a possibility that Daniel's child pornography charges could be dropped. His sentencing for the assault charges, originally scheduled for May 5th, 2025, may also be affected.

The Independent has reached out to the Department of Justice, the FBI, Mint Hill police, and the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office for comment.