Celebrity 2 months ago

Capitol Attack: Jay Johnston's One-Year Sentence

Actor Jay Johnston, known for Bob's Burgers, is sentenced to prison for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack. Discover the details of his case.

Jay Johnston, an actor known for his roles in the animated series Bob's Burgers and the comedy film Anchorman, has been sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

At the age of 56, Johnston was arrested by the FBI in June after being identified in footage recorded by other rioters. He pleaded guilty in July to charges of interfering with police during the insurrection, facing a potential sentence of up to five years.

During his sentencing, Johnston expressed regret for making it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs, admitting he was unaware that a riot would occur, which he attributed to his own ignorance. He will report to prison at a yet-to-be-determined date.

Prosecutors had suggested an 18-month prison term, highlighting that Johnston had made light of his actions during the riot. They referenced a photo of him dressed as Jacob Chansley, also known as the "QAnon Shaman," at a Halloween party in 2022.

Prosecutors claimed that Johnston participated in one of the most violent assaults on police that day and even filmed the chaos on his phone. He was seen using a stolen U.S. Capitol Police riot shield to help form a "shield wall" that forced officers back into a tunnel.

Videos played in court showed Johnston scaling a wall using a metal bike rack, using a Donald Trump billboard as a shield against police, and making jokes about the violence occurring around him.

In messages sent after January 6, Johnston downplayed the events at the Capitol, suggesting they were exaggerated by the media and implying a setup involving the police and Antifa, despite having firsthand knowledge of the violence.

The attack resulted in numerous fatalities, including the shooting of rioter Ashli Babbit by a police officer, the death of Officer Brian D. Sicknick from strokes following the attack, and the suicides of four other officers in the subsequent months.

Johnston is primarily recognized for voicing Jimmy Pesto Sr. on Bob's Burgers and has appeared in other shows such as Arrested Development and The Sarah Silverman Show, where he portrayed police officers.