Comedian and actor best known for voicing Jimmy Pesto Sr on Fox’s “Bob’s Burgers,” Jay Johnston has been sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for his involvement in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Johnston, 55, was charged with joining the mob on the Capitol’s Lower West Plaza, where he reportedly filmed the chaotic events on his cell phone.
In July, Johnston entered a plea agreement, admitting guilt to a felony charge of obstruction of law enforcement. This plea led to the dismissal of three other charges initially brought against him. Arrested in June 2023 in California, Johnston was identified by the FBI with the help of internet sleuths, as well as by three people familiar with him, after officials released photos showing him at the Capitol during the riot.
Johnston’s career includes notable roles in comedy, particularly as a regular on the 1990s sketch show “Mr. Show with Bob and David” and “The Sarah Silverman Program.”
Johnston’s role in the Capitol riot marked a significant departure from his career, resulting in his prison sentence and a $2,000 fine, as ordered by the US District Judge Carl J Nichols. Upon completing his prison term, Johnston will remain on supervised release for two years.
According to court documents, Johnston allegedly moved closer to the police line as rioters breached the Capitol, with security footage revealing he assisted in pushing individuals against officers who were pinned near a tunnel entrance. He reportedly filmed the crowds throughout the day, capturing key moments on his phone.
The Justice Department reported that Johnston is among over 1,500 people charged in connection with the events of January 6, underscoring ongoing federal efforts to hold individuals accountable for actions taken during the Capitol riot
