Bob's Burgers actor arrested on Jan 6 charges

Actor Jay Johnston, best known for his roles in Arrested Development and Bob's Burgers, has been arrested over his involvement in the January 6 riot in Washington, DC.

Johnston was detained Wednesday and hit with a slew of charges, including felony obstruction of officers during civil disorder, and various misdemeanors related to the goals of the protest.



According to court documents, Johnston was allegedly "among a crowd of rioters who confronted law enforcement officers at the West Plaza of the United States Capitol," where he "pushed against police and aided other rioters near an entrance ... known as 'the tunnel.'"

In its 15-page statement of facts, the Department of Justice provided numerous screenshots from footage taken on January 6 clearly showing Johnston taking part in the protest.

Johnston allegedly arrived at the West Plaza just after 2 pm, and slowly made his way to "the tunnel," where at 3:05 pm he "made a series of hand gestures to the crowd, including clapping his hands, banging his closed fists together and pointing." After entering, Johnston allegedly grabbed a US Capitol Police shield and held it over his head before using it to push against officers on the other side. He then re-entered the tunnel, before leaving again and handing the shield to another protestor.

Along with the felony, Johnston was charged with "knowingly enter[ing] or remain[ing] in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority to do," and, "knowingly, and with intent to impede or disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business or official functions, engag[ing] in disorderly or disruptive conduct in, or within such proximity to, any restricted building or grounds when, or so that, such conduct, in fact, impedes or disrupts the orderly conduct of Government business or official functions."

It had long been known that Johnston was present on January 6, 2021, which was just three days before the tenth anniversary of Bob's Burgers. He had voiced Jimmy Pesto Sr, a recurring character, since the show's inception in 2011, however, when news of Johnston's involvement in the riot broke, he was ultimately fired.