The Justice Department is taking new steps regarding those involved in the January 6 Capitol insurrection. They plan to dismiss charges that are unrelated to the Capitol assault if those charges came from investigations tied to that day.
In Ocala, Florida, a federal prosecutor has suggested dropping the remaining charge against Daniel Ball, who was pardoned last month for his actions during the Capitol riot. Ball was still facing a weapons charge after a gun and ammunition were found in his home earlier this year.
Even though President Trump pardoned Ball, who faced federal charges related to the riot, he was arrested again shortly afterward because of the weapons charge. Prosecutors claimed that Ball had illegal possession of a firearm due to his past felony convictions.
Ball’s supporters argued the gun charge should be dismissed since the firearm was discovered during an FBI investigation into his actions on January 6. Sara Sweeney, the newly appointed acting U.S. attorney, has filed to dismiss Ball’s gun case.
Sweeney stated, “The United States hereby moves to dismiss the indictment pending against the defendant, Daniel Charles Ball, with prejudice,” citing a January 2025 Executive Order that granted pardons for offenses related to January 6.
Her office made this motion just days after she started her role as the lead federal prosecutor in Central Florida.
Ball has pleaded not guilty to both the gun charge and the charges related to the Capitol riot. Prosecutors accused him of throwing an explosive at police during the chaos. They claimed he joined other rioters in trying to push against officers trying to defend the Capitol and later threw an explosive into the entrance.
During a search of Ball’s home, investigators found various types of ammunition and explosive devices. These were part of the evidence leading to the gun possession case against him.
On February 7, Ball’s defense argued that Trump’s pardon included instructions to dismiss all related cases. This included his gun charge, focusing on the phrase “all related cases.”
Trump’s pardon affected over 1,500 Capitol riot defendants, leading to the release of many, including those accused of assaulting police that day.
