UPDATE with most recent: Former Bob’s Burgers voice actor Jay Johnston today pleaded guilty to a federal crime related from his participation in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He faces a felony charge of civil disorder.
The maximum punishment for Johnston, 55, may be five years in jail; however, the guidelines for sentencing recommend a term of eight to fourteen months. The date of his sentence is set for October 7.
Among Johnston’s other credits are Better Call Saul, Men in Black II, and Anchorman.
Previously on June 25: Jay Johnston, a former voice actor for Bob’s Burgers, consented today to enter a guilty plea to federal charges relating to his involvement in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6. The 55-year-old actor is accused of many offences, including unruly or disruptive behaviour in a restricted building or grounds and civil disorder. Other roles include Better Call Saul and Mr Show with Bob and David.
The formal hearing to alter his plea is scheduled for July 8 in Los Angeles. See the case’s specifics below.
Earlier on June 7, 2023: Jay Johnston was taken into custody in Los Angeles today for his involvement in the attack and uprising on January 6 at the US Capitol.
Benched The actor from Bob’s Burgers turned himself in to the FBI on Wednesday at their field office, one day after the Justice Department filed a warrant for him (see here). Later today, Johnston is scheduled to appear in federal court. (Update, 7:45 PM) This afternoon, Johnston appeared in U.S. District Court for the first time. He was released on a $25,000 bond and is scheduled to take part in a video conference on June 13.
Other court documents state that Johnston has been charged with misdemeanours of entering a restricted place and interfering with the conduct of government business, in addition to obstruction of law officers carrying out their duty, for her participation in a “group assault” (see here).
Not exactly ground-breaking news, the individual who portrayed Jimmy Pesto in numerous Fox cartoon series episodes has being sought by the FBI since March 2021. Johnston, who previously appeared on Mr. Show with Bob and David, Better Call Saul, and The Sarah Silverman Programme, was fired from Bob’s Burgers in December 2021 due to his involvement in the MAGA mob, which supported Donald Trump and stormed the Capitol on that day approximately two and a half years earlier.
Shortly after the attack on January 6, the FBI released pictures of Johnston, as they have done with countless suspects:
The docs along with screenshots demonstrate how quickly the photographs of Johnston that were circulating were taken down:
About March 8, 2021, a lawyer phoned the FBI’s National Threat Operations Centre (NTOC) and claimed to be on behalf of JAY JAMES JOHNSTON, the person shown in pictures 247-AFO that were circulated to the public.
Three of JOHNSTON’s associates, both current and past, who have been interviewed by the FBI, have all confirmed that JOHNSTON is the person shown in the 247-AFO photos above. The FBI received a text message from one of these associates in which JOHNSTON acknowledged his presence at the Capitol on January 6 and said, “The news has presented it as an attack.” It wasn’t, in fact. I kind of thought it became that. It was disorganised. I was maced and tear gassed, and I thought it was really terrible.
According to United Airlines records, JOHNSTON was scheduled to travel round-trip from Los Angeles, California to Washington, D.C. on January 4, 2021, with a return flight scheduled for January 7, 2021.
Over a thousand January 6 rioters have been taken into custody thus far, of which about 280 have been condemned or sent behind bars.
