Former “Bob’s Burgers” actor Jay Johnston got his verdict for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Although the comedian was arrested and four charges were brought against him, only one of them stuck. The TV star will be cooling off for the next year in a correctional facility for playing a part in the infamous riot in Washington, D.C.
Jay Johnston was identified as a participant in the unrest in a social media post made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2021.
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Jay Johnston Was Arrested In California Last Summer
The TV star’s lawyer confirmed his 12-month sentencing to a federal prison today after he pled guilty to one count of obstructing officers during a civil disorder.
Johnston was initially facing up to 5 years in federal custody after his arrest in California with a four-charge hit. His charges were eventually dropped to just one, which he pled guilty to.
The actor met his nemesis after the FBI photo-dropped him 3 years ago in a video from the riot. The federal agency noted that he “participated with other rioters in a group assault” on cops guarding the Capitol entrance and also “helped carry a stolen police riot shield out.”
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He even reportedly confessed to a friend via text message that he was present and active at the Capitol riot, according to documents obtained by TMZ. Johnston also lost his “Bob’s Burger” contract in 2021 as a result of his participation.
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Investigation Into The Actor’s Involvement In The Riot Began In 2021
Johnston was picked up on June 7, 2023, as part of a group assault on the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
The Blast noted that the investigation into his role began two months after the incident in March 2021 after the FBI made a tweet requesting information on the actor and a group of other individuals.
Social media users were instantly torn over his identity as some argued it was a mere coincidence, and an actor of his reputation would not engage in such an act.
One user wrote, “Please tell me that’s not Jay Johnston, as another added, “If that f—ing JAY JOHNSON!!!!!?!?!!? F——g JIMMY PESTO.”
“So funny that people were like ‘haha doesn’t that look like the guy from Mr. Show?’ and then it really was,” another commenter stated.
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“This guy just got arrested and it happens to be the actor that voices Jimmy Pesto on Bob’s Burgers so that was great casting on their part I guess,” this user declared.
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Johnston’s Former Co-Stars Helped Identify The Actor During The Investigation
“You’re going to prison.”Jay Johnston (voice of Jimmy Pesto on Bob’s Burgers), is going to serve a year and a day in federal prison for crimes surrounding January 6 and his attack on our capital.Jimmy! pic.twitter.com/MoSEBBs4cn
— Betty (@BettyMrbetty999) October 28, 2024
While the actor got banned from his role as the voice of Jimmy Pesto in the animated series, the betrayal from his professional circle was far from over.
His co-star Tim Heidecker shared in a now-deleted tweet that the FBI could confirm through reliable sources that Johnston was the man they were looking for.
Two other actors who starred with Johnston in the 2014 documentary “Harmontown” — Spencer Crittenden and Cassandra Church — also came forward to say that Johnston had attended the rally and been a strong supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Fans Reacted To News Of His Sudden Departure From The Animated Series
Johnston voiced the famous character for over a decade and the news of his exit sent the fandom into a frenzy.
“Man, after hearing Jay Johnston being suspended from Bob’s Burgers for taking part in Capital Riot. I doubt he’ll be invited to anymore Mr. Show reunions.” this user wrote.
A user on Reddit offered a more creative approach to deal with the situation, “They should work this into an episode “Pesto Got Aresto Burger.”
A rather passionate patriot corrected a perceived notion about the nature of the outburst noting, “Insurrection. It was not a riot. It was an attempted insurrection. Calling it a riot downplays what it really was.”
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This user’s comment was fueled by sheer nostalgia as they wrote, “Man. I used to love him back in the 90s. He was great on Mr. Show and the countless roles he hadintv. Oh well. Bye!”
Jay Johnston’s Professional History
New: Former ‘Bob’s Burgers’/Mr. Show actor Jay Johnston sentenced to one year + one day in prison for his Jan. 6 felony conviction. Judge Carl Nichols cited Johnston’s successful acting career, saying it made his actions all the more “inexplicable and troubling.” pic.twitter.com/YIlg8N0cys
— Alex Mallin (@alex_mallin) October 28, 2024
The Blast shared that the TV personality has a phenomenal acting history under his name.
Johnston appeared as Officer Jay McPherson on “The Sarah Silverman Program” and worked as a writer and cast member on the HBO sketch comedy series “Mr. Show with Bob and David.”
He also spent time as a recurring character in “Arrested Development” and appeared in films like “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” and “Bicentennial Man.”
Jay Johnston’s professional fate remains undecided as he begins serving his time!
