Florida man with lectern at Capitol riot says pre-prison party is off, claims April Fools’
Adam Johnson will not be hosting a “going to prison” party on Friday — at least not at Caddy’s Bradenton.
On March 18, Johnson created the Facebook event “Adam is going to prison” inviting others to celebrate with him before he is scheduled to surrender himself and serve his prison sentence.
He had pleaded guilty to one count of entering or remaining in any restricted building after being photographed with Nancy Pelosi’s lectern during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
News of the Facebook event hosted by Johnson came as a surprise to management when the Bradenton Herald first reached out for comment and published a story.
“Caddy’s Bradenton is a family-friendly waterfront restaurant that had no knowledge of a ‘Going to Prison’ event being planned at its location. This event was never discussed or planned with anyone associated with the Caddy’s brand,” General Manager Stephen Ananicz later said. “It has been reported falsely that Caddy’s has canceled this event, this event did not exist.”
Johnson took to the conservative social media site Gab and shared the Bradenton Herald’s report.
“Well looks like someone is trying to ruin my party,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, the Facebook event was initially updated, changing the location to the Sahara desert, and a new post claimed the event was an April Fool’s Day joke.
“Well I was hoping to keep this going a little bit longer. It’s both sad and hilarious that the news covered this and internet warriors got so triggered about me seeing my family and loved ones before I leave,” the said. “There is no party. At least not a public one.”
The Facebook event has since been deleted.
The first time Caddy’s had heard of this ‘’Event’’ is after reading it today in multiple media outlets.
False reports from other outlets that Caddy’s Bradenton was the one to cancel the event led to multiple staff members at the restaurant being subjected to abuse, receiving threatening emails and negative social media comments,” Ananicz also shared.
“If you are interested in real events being held at our locations and organized by Caddy’s please go to caddys.com or follow our page on Facebook and Instagram,” he said. “And please remember to be kind to our great staff, online and offline.”
In the government’s sentencing memorandum filed with the court ahead of Johnson’s sentencing, federal prosecutors addressed conflicting behavior from Johnson regarding remorse about his action.
“During his two proffer sessions, Johnson expressed what the government believes is sincere remorse. But these declarations came only after he was charged for his role in the riot at the Capitol on January 6,” prosecutors wrote. “Prior to this, Johnson minimized his actions to friends and family, stating that he was ‘peaceful,’ ‘not an agitator,’ and merely ‘there to record history.’ It is therefore unclear whether he has fully grasped the gravity of his individual actions.”
Prosecutors had concerns after learning was hoping to write a book about his role in the Capitol riot when they offered a plea agreement.
As a result, and as part of that agreement, Johnson is prohibited from collecting any proceeds or compensation of any kind for the next five years from any productions including but not limited to books, articles, songs, scripts, speeches, blogs, podcasts and interviews. During the same time period, he is also barred from profiting from his name, image or likeness being used on any products, media or merchandise in connection to events on Jan. 6, 2021.
Should Johnson engage in any such deals during the next five years, those funds must be paid to the federal government.
This story was originally published April 1, 2022 at 5:50 AM.
