"Bob's Burgers" actor sentenced for role in U.S. Capitol riot
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Actor Jay Johnston in Beverly Hills, California, in 2008. Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
"Bob's Burgers" actor Jay James Johnston was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison on Monday for his role in the U.S. Capitol riot, the Department of Justice announced.
The big picture: The 56-year-old Los Angeles actor and comedian, who voiced the Jimmy Pesto character in the hit show, pleaded guilty in July to a felony charge of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder.
State of play: The actor who had a recurring role in "Arrested Development" joined a mob illegally amassed on the West Plaza of the Capitol Building, where rioters removed police barricades, per a Justice Department statement.
- The DOJ said he "pushed his way into" a nearby tunnel toward the police line and passed on "a stolen U.S. Capitol police riot shield" he was given after other rioters "called out to 'make a shield wall.'"
- Prosecutors alleged Johnston participated in a group push with other rioters against police officers in the tunnel.
- U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols also sentenced Johnston to 24 months of supervised release and ordered that he pay $2,000 in restitution.
What they're saying: The Washington Post reports that Johnston took responsibility for his actions and was remorseful and that defense attorney Stanley Woodward said prosecutors had "overstated" Johnston's actions on Jan. 6, 2021, due to the "blacklisted" actor's "notoriety."
Background: Johnston's other credits include the movies "Anchorman" and "Men in Black II" and TV shows "The Sarah Silverman Show" and "Better Call Saul."
Go deeper: In photos: An hour-by-hour record of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot
