California Man Sentenced for Role in January 6 Capitol Breach
A resident of Los Angeles, California, Jay James Johnston, has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison following his involvement in the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. The breach disrupted a joint session of Congress that was counting the electoral votes for the 2020 presidential election. Johnston, aged 55, will also face 24 months of supervised release and is ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution. The sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols.
Johnston pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder on July 8, 2024. According to court documents, Johnston was part of a mob on the Lower West Plaza of the Capitol, a location marked by violent encounters with law enforcement. Around 2:00 p.m., Johnston was seen behind police barricades, recording the events with his cell phone.
As the situation escalated and barriers were dismantled, Johnston moved closer to the Capitol. By approximately 3:03 p.m., he had reached the Lower West Terrace and was near the Tunnel entrance, where he was observed encouraging other rioters. Johnston engaged in confrontations with police, receiving and using a stolen riot shield against law enforcement.
Johnston’s actions included pushing against a police line, contributing to the chaos inside the Tunnel. His involvement resulted in a Metropolitan Police Department officer being crushed between the crowd and a door. Johnston exited the Tunnel at about 3:13 p.m.
The FBI arrested Johnston on June 7, 2023, in Los Angeles. The investigation and prosecution of the case involved multiple agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice’s National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, along with the FBI’s Los Angeles and Washington Field Offices, also offered significant support.
Johnston was identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #247 by the FBI. The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department provided valuable assistance in the investigation.
Since January 6, 2021, over 1,532 individuals across nearly all 50 states have faced charges related to the Capitol breach. This includes more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, classified as a felony. The investigation is ongoing.
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