Pardoned Rioter Released from Prison Despite Warrant Issued by Texas Authorities
Donald Trump’s recent pardon of rioter Michael Taake has raised concerns about the justice system, as Taake was released from a federal prison in Colorado alongside 1600 other inmates involved in the Capitol riots. However, Taake was not immune to the law, as a pending warrant from Harris County authorities remained in effect, charging him with soliciting sex with a 17-year-old through a messaging app.
According to a statement released by the Harris District Attorney’s office, five days before Taake’s release, a copy of the warrant was faxed to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Despite this, Taake was released on January 20th, prompting the DA’s office to promise to re-arrest him and track him down.
The office expressed concern about the resources required to re-arrest individuals like Taake, who were released with pending state warrants. It also emphasized its efforts to locate Taake, who was last seen in Houston, Texas.
Taake’s release was made possible by a pardon issued by President Trump, which granted a “complete and unconditional pardon” to those convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. However, the pardon did not address potential crimes beyond those specified. The Federal Bureau of Prisons clarified that their interpretation of the pardon was that inmates on their list, including Taake, should be released immediately.
Despite the pardon, the question remains whether Taake’s release was a miscarriage of justice, given the pending warrant against him. The incident highlights the complexities of the justice system and the potential consequences of extreme pardons.