Jay Johnston, a well-known actor and comedian who voiced Jimmy Pesto on the popular animated sitcom Bob’s Burgers, was arrested by the FBI on Wednesday (June 7) for his role in the attack on the United States Capitol building on January 6. He’s now facing a flurry of felony and misdemeanor charges.
Among some of the charges he’s currently facing are civil disorder, unlawful entry on restricted buildings or grounds, attempting to disrupt government business, and (impeding passage through Capitol grounds – among others, of course. The 54-year-old is expected to appear in court on Wednesday (June 14).
Arrested Development actor Jay Johnston arrested in connection with January 6 https://t.co/e3h8fOdTIQ pic.twitter.com/c34DniFioW
— The A.V. Club (@TheAVClub) June 7, 2023
An FBI warrant was filed on June 5th and made public, describing in full detail the actions and behavior of Jay Johnston on January 6, 2021. Using body camera footage, social media footage, and testimony from those close to Jay, the FBI was able to document his role in the attack – which killed five people in total.
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According to the warrant, Jay Johnston booked a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. that departed on January 4 and returned several days later on January 7. The FBI first pinpointed him at the attack at around 2:05 p.m. – when he was among a crowd of rioters at the Capitol’s West Plaza.
Actor Jay Johnston, best known for Mr. Show, Arrested Development, and Bob's Burgers, arrested and charged for January 6 pic.twitter.com/RYTEQ1vejB
— BNO News (@BNONews) June 7, 2023
He was seen taking photos and videos with his cellphone before entering the west tunnel around 3:00 p.m. – at which point, he was seen helping other rioters wash their faces/eyes with water (due to the mace and pepper spray). Minutes later, he made contact with the police line defending the Capitol.
Johnston was then seen handing U.S. Capitol Police shields to other rioters for protection. The group of rioters made a ‘shield wall’ and began a group assault on the police officers defending the entrance to the Capitol building. Johnston walked out of the tunnel at around 3:10 p.m., but returned after just one minute.
‘Bob’s Burgers’ actor Jay Johnston arrested on Capitol riot charges https://t.co/fYIkc8SG8v pic.twitter.com/5ec9J5Y59f
— New York Post (@nypost) June 7, 2023
Johnston returned to the police line, where rioters continued to push their way through. He, again, exited the tunnel several minutes later and was seen handing a police shield to another rioter, who was entering the tunnel. Now, Johnston is facing multiple charges that could land him in prison for weeks, if not years.
How Did the FBI Identify Jay Johnston?
The FBI has arrested and charged more than 1,000 people in connection to the events that unfolded on January 6, 2021. Of those that were arrested and charged, nearly half of them have already been sentenced to prison – with sentences ranging anywhere from one week to 18 years of imprisonment.
The #FBI is still seeking information on people who took part in the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. If you know this individual, visit https://t.co/iL7sD5efWD. Refer to photo 247 in your tip. pic.twitter.com/CetMHzU190
— FBI (@FBI) March 4, 2021
On March 4, roughly two months after the Jan. 6 attack, the FBI released photos of Jay Johnston in an attempt to identify him. Four days later, his attorney contacted the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center to confirm his identity. The FBI then talked to three of his current/former associates for more info.
‘Arrested Development’ actor Jay Johnston obstructing police in U.S. Capitol tunnel on Jan. 6
— Law & Crime (@lawcrimenews) June 7, 2023
Full story here: https://t.co/s9LTVDhK5y pic.twitter.com/FBNx0u73wt
Not only did those three associates confirm he was the man in the pictures, but one of them provided a text message from Jay. “The news has presented it as an attack. It actually wasn’t. Thought it kind of turned into that. It was a mess. Got maced and tear gassed and I found it quite untastic,” he wrote.
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In addition to his role as Jimmy Pesto (voice) on Bob’s Burgers, Jay Johnston is best known as a writer and cast member on Mr. Show with Bob and David – a sketch comedy show that aired for four seasons between 1995 and 1998. He also had small roles in Arrested Development and Parks and Recreation.
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