A man from North Carolina, who is dealing with charges related to the events of January 6, is now facing new allegations of having child sexual abuse material and exploiting a minor, as authorities discovered incriminating evidence on his phone during his arrest connected to the Capitol incident.
A 37-year-old man named David Paul Daniel is facing serious allegations related to the possession of child pornography and the sexual exploitation of a minor, according to online court documents.
Allegations of child sexual abuse material and exploitation involving Daniel emerged during his arrest in November 2023 related to the Jan. 6 case at his residence in North Carolina, as detailed in a probable cause affidavit examined by Law&Crime.
The document revealed that, while investigating the defendant’s case and searching his residence, authorities learned of an ongoing inquiry by a local police department concerning allegations of sexual assault involving a minor.
A victim, identified as “Minor 1” in the document, reported to authorities that from 2015 to 2019, Daniel had repeatedly assaulted her and had taken photographs of her while she was undressed, as well as instructed her to take explicit photos of herself, as stated in the affidavit.
“Minor 1 also stated that when left alone with Daniel, he would require her to shower with him,” the document indicated. She additionally informed officials that he compelled her to engage in a sexual act with him and that he had inappropriately groped her, as stated in the document.
Daniel told detectives that he did not engage in any improper behavior with the victim, but he was unable to remember whether he had showered with her.
Authorities have discovered that another agency, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO), is currently looking into an allegation of statutory rape involving the defendant and a victim referred to as “Minor 1,” as detailed in the affidavit from March 2023.
According to the document, the mother of Minor 2 informed FCSO that Daniel had engaged in sexual activities with Minor 2 during the summer prior.
Daniel is facing multiple charges related to his purported involvement in the events at the Capitol on January 6, including assaulting officers, civil disorder, trespassing, disorderly conduct, and demonstrating within a Capitol building, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office issued in November 2023.
He faces allegations of participating in the group that forced their way through the Senate Wing Door adjacent to the Northwest Courtyard of the Capitol building, according to court documents.
He and another individual reportedly spearheaded an aggressive attempt to breach the barricaded Senate Wing Door while law enforcement officers struggled to keep it secured. Court documents revealed that the group succeeded in prying open the door just before Daniel was hit with mace. He stepped outside and made his way back to the Capitol building, departing at 3:04 p.m., as stated in court documents.
Daniel’s request to postpone his trial scheduled for January 6 was rejected. He contended in legal filings that managing his case involving possession of child sexual assault material alongside the sexual exploitation charges would pose significant challenges. The document stated that his detention in North Carolina would significantly hinder his capacity to communicate with his legal team and adequately prepare for the upcoming trial.
Daniel has filed a renewed motion to postpone his case related to the events of January 6, following the scheduling of a trial date for his North Carolina case, set for January 6, 2025.