Jay Johnston, known for his role in the animated series Bob’s Burgers, has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his involvement in the storming of the US Capitol. The 54-year-old actor faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony count of civil disorder. He was released on a $25,000 bond following an initial court appearance in California.
Johnston was also charged with felony obstruction of officers during civil disorder, unlawful entry on restricted buildings or grounds, and impeding passage through Capitol grounds. Court documents allege that Johnston participated in the mob that attacked police officers. Video evidence from the incident showed him taking a shield from an officer and using it against law enforcement defending the Capitol.
According to charging documents, Johnston was near the entrance to a tunnel and signaled for other rioters to join him. He acknowledged his involvement in text messages, describing the events as chaotic but stopping short of calling it an attack.
Three associates of Johnston identified him from FBI photos, and one provided investigators with text messages confirming his presence at the Capitol. Flight records showed he had booked a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Washington DC, departing on.
In addition to his role on Bob’s Burgers, Johnston has appeared in HBO’s Mr. Show with Bob and David and had smaller roles on the Fox sitcom Arrested Development. US District Judge Carl Nichols is scheduled to sentence Johnston on October 7.
Separately, Dana Jean Bell of Princeton, Texas, pleaded guilty to assaulting a Metropolitan Police Department officer during the Capitol attack. Bell, 65, was captured on video inside the Capitol cursing at officers and grabbing a baton. She was also seen assaulting a local television journalist outside the building. Bell faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison, with sentencing set for October 17.
Approximately 1,000 individuals have been convicted or pleaded guilty to federal crimes related to the Capitol riot, with sentences ranging from seven days to 18 years in prison for more than half of those sentenced.
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