Jay Johnston, the actor known for his roles on “Bob’s Burgers,” “Mr. Show” and other TV programs, has pleaded guilty for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Johnston was accused of grabbing a shield from a member of law enforcement and using it to push officers who were defending a tunnel near the building’s entrance from the insurrectionists.
He was previously listed on the FBI’s Capitol Violence list, in which images of alleged, unidentified violent offenders from that day are posted to solicit information from the public.
Johnston pleaded guilty to one felony count of obstructing officers during a civil disorder. He announced plans to change his previous plea last month.
In charging documents, Johnston allegedly told an associate it “actually wasn’t” an attack. That associate confirmed to the FBI that photos showed Johnston at the scene, including ones where he wears a bandana covering his face and one where is face is uncovered.
“The news has presented it as an attack. It actually wasn’t,” Johnson wrote in a text. “Thought it kind of turned into that. It was a mess. Got maced and tear gassed and I found it quite untastic.”
At least two other associates identified him to the FBI.
Johnston was arrested in June 2023, along with several others.
Prior to his arrest, he was fired from “Bob’s Burgers,” where he played rival restauranteur Jimmy Pesto. The character was written off the show but returned after a new voice actor was hired.
He had also played a police officer on “Arrested Development” and “The Sarah Silverman Program.”
Johnston, 55, will be sentenced in October. He faces a maximum of five years in prison.
The FBI has made more than 1,400 arrests related to Jan. 6, leading to more than 1,000 convictions.
The statute of limitations for any charges related to the incident expires in early 2026.
