Comic book actor Jay Johnston, best known for his role in the animated sitcom Bob’s Burgers, was arrested in California on Wednesday for obstructing police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol. indicted for a felony.
According to the FBI, the actor was identified in police body camera footage pushing police officers around the Capitol and helping other mobs.
Mr Johnston, 54, was charged with four counts, including civil unrest and entering a closed building. According to an FBI affidavit, closed-circuit television footage shows Johnston using shields stolen from the Capitol Police Department to participate in a mob attack on officers guarding the tunnel entrance to the building. It is reflected.
Johnston’s name surfaced in connection with the March 2021 riots. Amateur detectives said they recognized Mr. Johnston in a photograph published in a magazine. FBI seeks information on Twitter. Colleagues on the Harmontown podcast also tweeted that they recognize Johnston, who had minor roles in comedies like “Arrested Development” and “Anchorman.”
“I’m not a detective, but I know Jay,” Johnston and Harmontown co-creator Cassandra Church wrote in a now-deleted tweet. “He said he was there. And that’s him in the picture. So…”
The FBI said three of Johnston’s colleagues identified him from the Jan. 6 photo.
An official confirmed that Mr. Johnston was in the Capitol on January 6 and provided the FBI with a text message stating: It actually wasn’t. That’s what I thought. It was a mess. Made up and tear gassed. ”
Johnston is also said to have helped other mobs who were sprayed with water in their eyes.
Daily Beast Reported in December 2021 After the Jan. 6 riots, Johnston was banned from voicing regular Jimmy Pesto Sr. on Fox’s “Bob’s Burgers.”
More than 1,040 people have been indicted in connection with the Capitol attack, according to the Justice Department. Prosecutors have suggested that 1,000 more may eventually be indicted, according to a person familiar with the matter.
On Wednesday, Long Island funeral home owner Peter G. Moloney was also indicted in the department’s investigation into the riots. He is accused of spraying police officers guarding the Capitol with pesticides and attacking journalists.
Richard Burnett, who was photographed with his boots on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s desk during the raid last month, was convicted in January of eight criminal offenses and sentenced to four and a half years in prison. sentenced.
The leader of the far-right Oath Keepers militia, Stewart Rose, has faced the toughest sentence ever in a criminal case that sparked the attack on the Houses of Parliament. He was convicted last month of sedition conspiracy and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Mr. Johnston has numerous television and film credits, mostly in comedy roles. He was a regular on the comedy show “Mr. Comedy” in the 1990s. Show starring David Cross and Bob Odenkirk. Most recently, he appeared in an episode of “Better Call Saul” starring Odenkirk.
A lawyer for Johnston did not respond to a request for comment.
Alan Foyer Contributed to the report.
