Jay Johnston, an actor known for his roles in “Bob’s Burgers” and “Arrested Development,” was arrested Wednesday for his alleged involvement within the attack on the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Based on court documents reviewed by The Post, Johnston, 54, was arrested in California.
He’s charged with obstruction of officers during civil disorder, which is a felony, and a number of other misdemeanors, including entering a restricted constructing and interesting in disruptive conduct with intent to impede government business.
On March 4, 2021, the FBI tweeted photos of a person, allegedly Johnston, on the Jan. 6 riot and asked the general public for help identifying him.
The documents state that the Department of Justice identified Johnston using multiple images of him captured on officer body-cam footage, bystander video and CCTV feeds.
Within the footage, Johnston, together with other rioters, may be seen holding a stolen Capitol Police riot shield to create a “shield wall” and push against a line of officers for “several seconds.”
The FBI said that three of the actor’s current or former associates identified Johnston because the man within the photos.
One associate reportedly provided a text message from Johnston through which he allegedly talked about being on the Capitol on Jan. 6.
“The news has presented it as an attack. It actually wasn’t. Thought it type of changed into that. It was a multitude. Got maced and tear gassed and I discovered it quite untastic,” the actor allegedly wrote.
Records from United Airlines show that Johnston reserved a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, departing on Jan. 4 and returning on Jan. 7.
The Every day Beast reported in December that Johnston was supposedly banned from further voicing his “Bob’s Burgers” character, Jimmy Pesto Sr., as a consequence of his alleged involvement within the rebellion.
Fox declined to comment.
Johnston has also appeared in movies and TV shows akin to “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” “Mr. Show With Bob and David,” “The Sarah Silverman Program, “Rick and Morty,” “Modern Family,” “Higher Call Saul,” “Community” and “Parks and Recreation.”
