Jay Johnston, a comedian and actor known for voicing Jimmy Pesto Sr. on the Fox series "Bob’s Burgers," has been sentenced to one year and one day in prison for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. Following his prison sentence, he will be under supervised release for two years and must pay a $2,000 fine, as ordered by U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols.
The 55-year-old Johnston pleaded guilty in July to a felony charge of obstructing law enforcement as part of a plea deal that resulted in the dismissal of three other charges. He was arrested in June 2023 after internet sleuths identified him from FBI photos taken during the riot, and associates of Johnston confirmed his identity.
Prosecutors noted that during the riot, Johnston advanced toward police lines and was seen pushing against officers who were pinned against a door. He also recorded events on his phone. Investigators discovered text messages where he downplayed the violence of the day, claiming it “wasn't really an attack,” and had booked flights to Washington on January 4, 2021.
Johnston is among over 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the Capitol riots, according to the Justice Department.
