Bob’s Burgers actor Jay Johnston was arrested by the FBI and charged for his involvement in the January 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Johnston currently faces four charges from the Department of Justice: civil disorder, impeding passage through the Capitol grounds, entering a restricted building, and disorderly conduct in a restricted building.
His participation in the riots was first suspected after the FBI shared images of a rioter, seeking any identifying information about them. Multiple users responded at the time, saying the individual in the pictures resembled Johnston. Multiple actors and comedians also came forward on Twitter and confirmed that he “was there at the time.”
The actor was later “banned” from his recurring role on Bob’s Burgers, where he played Bob’s nemesis, pizzeria owner Jimmy Pesto Sr. An individual familiar with the matter said the show’s cast and network did not want to make his ban “a big deal.”
The criminal complaint notes that three of Johnston’s associates confirmed it was him in the photos.
“One of these associates provided the FBI with a text message in which Johnston acknowledged being at the Capitol on January 6, stating ‘The news has presented it as an attack. It actually wasn’t. Thought it kind of turned into that. It was a mess. Got maced and tear gassed and I found it quite untastic,'” the complaint reads.
Flight records also showed that Johnston flew to Washington on January 4 before flying back to Los Angeles on January 7.
Johnston had a recurring role in Bob’s Burgers from 2011 to 2021. Prior to that, he appeared in The Sarah Silverman Program, Arrested Development, and Mr. Show With Bob and David.
