Bob’s Burgers Actor Arrested And Charged Over January 6 Capitol Riot
Jay Johnston, who used to voice Jimmy Pesto in the animated comedy Bob's Burgers, has been arrested in connection to the January 6 Riots.
Jay Johnston, best known for Mr. Show with Bob and David, Arrested Development, and Bob’s Burgers, was arrested in California on Wednesday and charged with felony obstruction of officers during civil disorder as well as several misdemeanor offenses in connection with the January 6 riot and attack on the US Capitol. In December 2021, it was reported that Johnston was banned from Bob’s Burgers due to his alleged involvement in the riot. Johnston had been reported as one of the participants by online sleuths who report their findings to the FBI (via NBC News).
According to the court documents about Jay Johnston’s participation, the actor entered the upper west tunnel of the US Capitol, where some of the most violent incidents were reported. The documents report that Johnston assisted other rioters by pouring water on rioters’ faces and that he used a stolen U.S. Capitol Police shield while rioters fought police. The FBI also reported that three of Johnston’s current or former associates confirmed that photos at the Capitol riot depicted Johnston, and one associate also provided a message where Johnston acknowledged his involvement in the riot.
Jay Johnston is one of over 1,000 people that have been arrested due to participation in the January 6 riot, and the FBI continues to search for other participants. The January 6, 2021, riot occurred following the defeat of Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, leading a violent mob to storm the US Capitol. Five people died shortly before, during, or after the event, and 138 police officers were injured, with an estimated $2.7 million in monetary damages done, according to Justice.gov.
Jay Johnston played Jimmy Pesto in Bob’s Burgers, who is the owner of Jimmy’s Pizzeria and a frequent nemesis to Bob. Johnston voiced the character for over 40 episodes in the show’s first 11 seasons before he was suspected by online sleuths as to be suspect number 247, who was in photos tweeted by the FBI. Suspect number 247 was seen wearing a green camo jacket and a camo neck gaiter in the pictures.
At the time, Spencer Crittenden, a collaborator with Jay Johnston on the show Harmontown tweeted in a since-deleted tweet that Johnston was “a craven Trump supporter.” Johnston has also been associated with Gavin McInnes, founder of the far-right group the Proud Boys. Over 60 individuals affiliated with the Proud Boys have been arrested in connection with the insurrection since January 6.
Along with Jay Johnston’s work on Bob Burger’s, he is most known for being a writer and actor on Mr. Show with Bob and David, appearing in ten episodes of Arrested Development as a police officer, and appearing in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. Johnston also had a major role in several Adult Swim series such as Morel Orel, Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole, Mr. Pickles, and Momma Named Me Sheriff. His other smaller, notable acting credits include appearances on Better Call Saul, Rick and Morty, Community, Parks and Recreation, Men in Black II, Not Another Teen Movie, Modern Family, and The Sarah Silverman Program.
