Jay Johnston, an actor known for his roles in “Bob’s Burgers” and “Arrested Development,” was arrested Wednesday for his alleged involvement in the attack on the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
According to court documents reviewed by The Post, Johnston, 54, was arrested in California.
He is charged with obstruction of officers during civil disorder, which is a felony, and several misdemeanors, including entering a restricted building and engaging in disruptive conduct with intent to impede government business.
On March 4, 2021, the FBI tweeted photos of a man, allegedly Johnston, at the Jan. 6 riot and asked the public for help identifying him.
Jay Johnston has appeared in several TV shows and movies.WireImage
On March 4, 2021, the FBI tweeted photos of a man, allegedly Johnston, at the Jan. 6 riot and asked the public for help identifying him.FBIThe documents state that the Department of Justice identified Johnston using multiple images of him captured on officer body-cam footage, bystander video and CCTV feeds.
In the footage, Johnston, along with other rioters, can be seen holding a stolen Capitol Police riot shield to create a “shield wall” and push against a line of officers for “several seconds.”
The FBI said that three of the actor’s current or former associates identified Johnston as the man in the photos.
Johnston allegedly helped other rioters build a “shield wall” out of stolen police officer shields.FBI
Johnston voiced Jimmy Pesto Sr. on “Bob’s Burgers.”20th Century FoxOne associate reportedly provided a text message from Johnston in which he allegedly talked about being at the Capitol on Jan. 6.
“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 actor allegedly wrote.
Records from United Airlines show that Johnston reserved a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, departing on Jan. 4 and returning on Jan. 7.
Actors Larry Murphy (left) and Jay Johnston celebrate 100 episodes of Fox’s “Bob’s Burgers” on May 1, 2015, in California.Getty Images
One of Johnston’s current or former associates also included a text message in which Johnston allegedly acknowledges being at the Capitol Riot. FBIThe Daily Beast reported in December that Johnston was supposedly banned from further voicing his “Bob’s Burgers” character, Jimmy Pesto Sr., due to his alleged involvement in the insurrection.
Fox declined to comment.
Johnston has also appeared in movies and TV shows such as “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” “Mr. Show With Bob and David,” “The Sarah Silverman Program, “Rick and Morty,” “Modern Family,” “Better Call Saul,” “Community” and “Parks and Recreation.”
