An actor and comedian who voiced a character on “Bob’s Burgers” and had roles on “Arrested Development” and “Better Call Saul” was sentenced Monday to one year in federal prison for his role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Jay Johnston, 56, of Los Angeles pleaded guilty in July to one felony count of civil disorder, according to documents filed in federal court in the District of Columbia.
According to prosecutors, Johnston was near the front of the mob illegally amassed in the West Plaza of the Capitol building during the siege.
After police officers in the area were forced to retreat, Johnston, along with others, pursued the police to the Lower West Terrace and into a tunnel that leads into the Capitol. At about 3:05 p.m., he entered the tunnel, documents state.
While inside the tunnel, Johnston was handed a stolen U.S. Capitol police riot shield by other rioters. He then participated with other rioters in a group push effort against the police in the tunnel, evidence showed.
Federal prosecutors said Johnston then walked back toward the entrance of the tunnel before turning around and again participating in another group push effort, during which the crowd called, “HEAVE! HO!” as it pushed against the police. Johnston left the tunnel at 3:13 p.m. carrying another stolen U.S. Capitol Police riot shield, which he handed to another rioter as he exited the tunnel, according to prosecutors.
Johnston had voiced the character of pizzeria owner Jimmy Pesto Sr. in episodes of “Bob’s Burgers” during the Fox cartoon’s first 11 seasons. He was let go from the show in 2021 after it came to light that he’d participated in the Capitol riot, according to published reports.
Like all Capitol breach arrests, the case was handled in the District of Columbia.
During the Capitol siege, more than 140 police officers were assaulted, including more than 80 from the U.S. Capitol Police and over 60 from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. The Capitol building itself suffered damage, and government property was destroyed or stolen during the attack.
Current estimates are that losses arising from the Capitol siege exceed $2.8 million. In total, approximately 1,532 individuals have been charged criminally in federal court as of Oct. 6, according to federal prosecutors.