Jay Johnston, an actor known for his role in the animated comedy series Bob’s Burgers, has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his involvement in the January 2021 storming of the US Capitol.
Johnston, 54, faces a potential prison sentence of up to five years after pleading guilty to a felony charge of civil disorder. Following an initial court appearance in California, he was released on a $25,000 bond in June 2023.
In addition to civil disorder, Johnston faced charges for felony obstruction of officers during civil disorder, unlawful entry on restricted grounds, and impeding passage through Capitol grounds.
Court documents allege Johnston participated in a mob attack against police, and video footage showed him taking a shield from an officer to push back law enforcement defending the Capitol. Johnston reportedly encouraged other rioters to join him at the entrance to a tunnel.
Johnston admitted his involvement in the incident through text messages, stating it “wasn’t” an attack but “kind of turned into that,” describing the situation as “a mess.”
Three individuals who knew Johnston identified him from FBI-published photos. One provided the FBI with a text message in which Johnston acknowledged being at the Capitol. Airline records confirmed Johnston booked a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, departing on January 4, 2021, and returning on January 7, 2021.
Apart from Bob’s Burgers, Johnston has also appeared on HBO’s Mr. Show with Bob and David and had smaller roles on the Fox sitcom Arrested Development. US district judge Carl Nichols is scheduled to sentence Johnston on October 7.
On the same day, a Texas woman pleaded guilty to assaulting a Metropolitan Police Department officer during the Capitol riot. Video evidence showed Dana Jean Bell, 65, of Princeton, Texas, cursing at officers inside the Capitol and grabbing an officer’s baton. Bell was also seen assaulting a local television journalist outside the Capitol.
Bell faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison, with sentencing guidelines recommending two to two and a half years of imprisonment. US district judge Timothy Kelly will sentence her on October 17.
According to the Associated Press, around 1,000 individuals have been convicted or pleaded guilty to federal crimes related to the Capitol riot, with over half receiving prison sentences ranging from seven days to 18 years.