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Deborah Sandoval

Pardoned January 6 defendant

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Deborah Sandoval is a Des Moines, Iowa mother whose January 6 story is, at its heart, a family story — she and her son Salvador went to Washington together, and she stood beside him through every step of what followed. Here is what the record actually says (FACT): Deborah Sandoval entered the Capitol through a door that had already been forced open by others and was inside for about 24 minutes. She was not charged with hurting anyone or breaking anything. In December 2022 she took responsibility and pleaded guilty to a single count of entering a restricted building. She was sentenced on May 1, 2023 to five months in prison — and she served it (FACT). Then, on January 20, 2025, President Trump's proclamation granted a full and unconditional pardon covering January 6 convictions like hers (FACT). Post-pardon Iowa coverage reported the Sandoval family pressing to recover restitution that had been paid on a now-pardoned conviction (FACT — see Iowa Public Radio, January 2025). Four years of federal court, five months away from home, and Deborah Sandoval walked out the other side with her family intact and her case closed. That is the part of this story worth sharing. CASE RECORD - Case: United States v. Sandoval, No. 1:21-cr-195 - Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia - Arrested: February 19, 2021 · Guilty plea (one misdemeanor): December 14, 2022 · Sentenced: May 1, 2023 (five months) - Clemency: full pardon under the January 20, 2025 proclamation This profile is unclaimed. If this is you — or your family — claiming it is free, forever.