‘Bob’s Burgers’ actor Jay Johnston pleads guilty to Jan. 6 riot charge

Actor Jay Johnston, of Bob’s Burgers and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy fame, pleaded blameworthy connected Monday to interfering pinch constabulary officers connected work during nan Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot successful 2021.

Johnston, who is champion known for voicing pizzeria proprietor Jimmy Pesto connected nan animated Bob’s Burgers, was arrested past year and charged pinch a felony count of civilian disorder. He was accused of confronting constabulary officers arsenic portion of a mob of Donald Trump supporters, galore of whom unlawfully entered nan U.S. Capitol building.

The 55-year-old character now faces a maximum condemnation of 5 years successful prison, though nan recommended word ranges from 8 to 14 months.

On Jan. 6, 2021, Johnston was photographed among a mob of rioters assembled connected nan Lower West Plaza of nan U.S. Capitol building adjacent an area known arsenic nan “Tunnel,” according to a property merchandise from nan U.S. District of Columbia Attorney’s Office.

The authority said nan area saw “some of nan astir convulsive attacks” against rule enforcement during nan riot.

Johnston, who filmed overmuch of nan riot connected his cellphone, stood down a statement of constabulary barricades successful nan Tunnel.

For 40 minutes, rioters attempted to region nan barricades and beforehand person to nan Capitol building.

Johnston was seen facing nan crowd of rioters arsenic he pounded his fists together and pointed.

He was handed a stolen U.S. Capitol constabulary riot shield from different personification successful nan crowd. As immoderate rioters called retired to “make a shield wall,” Johnston held nan shield successful beforehand of him for a fewer moments earlier handing it off.

“Johnston past joined a group push effort against nan constabulary statement by pushing against nan rioters successful beforehand of him, who successful move pushed straight against nan police,” nan property merchandise reads.

As Johnston and others continued to push toward nan constabulary statement successful nan Tunnel, tribunal documents opportunity a Metropolitan Police Department serviceman was crushed betwixt nan crowd and a door.

Police were yet forced to retreat.

Soon after, Johnston near nan Tunnel. He did not participate nan Capitol building pinch different rioters.

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Johnston, who is from Los Angeles, will beryllium sentenced connected Oct. 7.

He has not commented publically connected nan charges aliases his blameworthy plea.

Before his arrest, Johnston was 1 of hundreds sought retired by nan FBI successful relationship to nan riot. With nan thief of societal media users who recognized Johnston from his galore TV cameos, arsenic good arsenic Johnston’s individual contacts, national agents were capable to make nan arrest.

More than 1,450 group crossed astir each 50 states person been charged pinch national crimes for their behaviour astatine nan Capitol connected Jan. 6. More than 500 of them person been sentenced, pinch imprisonment ranging from 7 days to 18 years, according to an Associated Press reappraisal of tribunal records.

The national investigation is ongoing.

Johnston is nary longer nan sound of Jimmy Pesto connected Bob’s Burgers. Canadian-American sound character Eric Bauza has since taken connected nan role.

Johnston’s acting credits besides see nan TV shows Arrested Development, Mr. Show pinch Bob and David, Better Call Saul and The Sarah Silverman Program.