Comedian Jay Johnston Sentenced for Involvement in Capitol Riot
Jay Johnston, recognized for his role as the voice of Jimmy Pesto Sr. on the Fox series “Bob’s Burgers,” has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison for his part in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Following his imprisonment, Johnston will face two years of supervised release and has been ordered to pay a $2,000 fine as mandated by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols.
The 55-year-old actor pleaded guilty in July to a felony charge of obstructing law enforcement, part of a plea agreement that led to the dismissal of three additional charges. Authorities apprehended Johnston in June 2023 after online investigators identified him from FBI images taken during the insurrection, with confirmation from Johnston’s associates.
According to prosecutors, Johnston was seen advancing towards police lines during the riot, pushing against officers trapped against a door, and recording the event on his phone. Text messages revealed he downplayed the violence, stating it “wasn’t really an attack,” and he had arranged flights to Washington on January 4, 2021.
Johnston is one of over 1,500 people charged in connection with the Capitol riots, as noted by the Justice Department.
