Jay Johnston, an actor best known for his role on the animated comedy show Bob’s Burgers, pleaded guilty to charges related to his role in the January 2021 storming of the US Capitol.
Johnston, 54, faces a maximum of five years in prison and pleaded guilty to one count of criminal civil disorder. He was released on $25,000 bail in June 2023 after an initial court appearance in California.
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Johnston was also charged with criminal obstruction of officers during civil disorder, unlawful entry of restricted buildings or grounds and impeding passage on Capitol grounds.
Documents filed in court allege that Johnston joined a mob of protesters who attacked police. Video of the incident showed the actor grabbing a police officer’s shield and using it to repel officers defending the Capitol.
Johnston “was near the tunnel entrance, turned around and signaled other protesters to come toward the entrance,” charging documents stated. He also acknowledged his role in the Capitol riot, sending a text message stating that it “wasn’t” an attack but that it “kind of turned into this.”
“It was a mess,” another message said.
Three current or former associates of Johnston identified him as the suspect from photos the FBI posted online, according to the agent. The FBI said one of those associates provided investigators with the text message in which Johnston acknowledged being at the Capitol on January 6.
Airline records also proved that Johnston booked a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Washington D.C., leaving on Jan. 4, 2021, and returning on Jan. 7, according to FBI files.
In addition to Bob’s Burgers, Johnston appeared on HBO’s Mr Show with Bob and David and played minor roles on the Fox sitcom Arrested Development. U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols is scheduled to sentence Johnston on Oct. 7.
Also on Monday, a Texas woman pleaded guilty to assaulting a Metropolitan Police Department officer during the attack on the Capitol. Video captured Dana Jean Bell swearing at police officers inside the Capitol and grabbing an officer’s baton, according to testimony from an FBI agent.
Bell, 65, of Princeton, Texas, also appeared on video assaulting a local television journalist outside the Capitol that day. The FBI affidavit says Bell appeared to try to push or grab the journalist, who worked for the Washington, D.C., Fox affiliate.
Bell faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly is scheduled to sentence her on Oct. 17. His estimated sentencing guidelines recommend a prison sentence of between two and two and a half years.
Approximately 1,000 people have been convicted or found guilty of federal crimes related to the Capitol riot, according to the Associated Press, with more than half of those convicted receiving prison sentences ranging from seven days to 18 years.
