A Florida man who was pardoned for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot was arrested just one day after his case was dismissed—this time, on federal gun charges.
Daniel Charles Ball, 39, was one of the rioters who had faced serious federal charges for his actions during the Capitol attack. He was accused of assaulting police officers, throwing an explosive device, and carrying a weapon. Specifically, he was charged with things like using fire or explosives to commit a felony, obstructing law enforcement, and engaging in physical violence while carrying a weapon. The U.S. Attorney’s Office described how Ball worked with other rioters to push against police officers at the Capitol’s lower west entrance and even threw an explosive device into the entrance when the assault failed.
Ball, from Homosassa, Florida, was identified and arrested by local sheriff’s deputies after being tracked down by his probation officer. The riot at the lower west entrance tunnel was one of the most violent moments of January 6, including the brutal assault on former D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, who was tased and beaten by rioters.
Federal investigators found several pieces of evidence against Ball, including photos and video showing him at the Capitol, attacking police officers, and throwing a device that exploded multiple times, causing pain and hearing loss to officers.
After taking office, President Donald Trump signed pardons for roughly 1,500 people involved in the Capitol riot, including those convicted of violent acts like assaulting police officers. Ball was one of the rioters who had been held without bail before his case was dismissed following Trump’s pardon.
But his second chance didn’t last long.
Just one day after his January 6 charges were dropped, Ball was arrested again—this time for federal gun charges. According to online court records, Ball was indicted on August 6, 2024, for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. His past convictions include domestic violence battery by strangulation in 2017, and resisting law enforcement with violence and battery on a police officer in 2021. The arrest warrant was issued the same day as the indictment, and Ball was arrested on January 22, 2025. He has not yet entered a plea.
While Trump’s pardons protected Ball from the January 6 charges, they offer him no shield for these new gun charges, as they stem from a separate case. Similarly, any other rioters who commit new crimes after receiving pardons won’t be protected from prosecution for those acts.
Interestingly, some January 6 rioters were turned in by family members, friends, or coworkers, so it’s possible others may face new charges if they get into trouble again. If that happens, those charges—like assault, stalking, or harassment—would fall under state laws and could not be pardoned by the president.
