Jay Johnston, a comedic actor best known as a voice actor on the animated TV series “Bob’s Burgers,” pleaded guilty to impeding police officers who tried to stop rioters from entering the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 riot.
Johnston, 55, was the voice of pizza-shop owner Jimmy Pesto on the hit Fox series. Reportedly expelled He was removed from the show after his involvement in the riots came to light.
He also appeared in the hit comedy film “Anchorman” and TV series such as “The Sarah Silverman Program” and “Mr. Show with Bob and David.”
According to court documents accompanying the guilty plea, Johnston recorded the storming of the Capitol on his cellphone and assisted many of the protesters, including helping rioters rinse the eyes of those who were hit with tear gas and joining the crowd pushing back against police guarding the historic building.
According to court documents reviewed by The Washington Post, an FBI agent’s affidavit said Johnston possessed a stolen police riot shield, used it as a head covering and then gave it to other members of the mob.
He was one of more than 1,400 people charged with federal crimes stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
FBI agents said several of Johnston’s former associates identified him from crowd photos the bureau distributed online, including one who sent agents text messages that showed Johnston’s complacency toward the deadly riots.
“It was reported in the news as an attack but it wasn’t – I thought it just changed. It was awful – we were pepper sprayed, tear gassed, it was horrible,” Johnston wrote.
Johnston was arrested in California in June of last year and charged with felony obstruction and several misdemeanor charges, including entering a restricted building and obstruction with intent to impede government business.
He faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, but presumptive sentencing guidelines recommend a sentence of eight to 14 months.
U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols is scheduled to sentence Johnston on October 7.
