Comedian Jay Johnston Of ‘Bobs Burgers’ and ‘Arrested Development’ Loses Job and Liberty For Jan 6 Attack Role

Former Bob’s Burgers comedian and actor Jay Johnston was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for his role in the January 6th, 2021 attack on the US Capitol after pleading guilty in July to a felony count of interfering with law enforcement during civil disorder.

Jay Johnson Gets Prison Time For Role In Jan 6 Capitol Attack

Jay Johnston, 56, who worked on Bob’s Burgers and Arrested Development, told U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols his participation in the attack was a “horrible oversight.” Trump-appointed Judge Nichols said Johnson failed to show remorse and described his conduct as reprehensible.

Identified by internet ‘detectives’ after the FBI published a photo requesting information from the public about his identity, Johnson was arrested in June 2023. He was accused of:

• Pinning and crushing MPD Officer Daniel Hodges against a door frame by participating in a ‘heave-ho’ push,
• Making a ‘shield wall’ against the police using a stolen United States Capitol Police riot shield.
• Helping at least four other rioters sprayed with OC spray wash their eyes out.

Seeking 18 months of federal imprisonment, Federal prosecutors indicated to the court that Johnson made light of his participation two years after the riots at a Halloween party by dressing up as Jacob Chansley, aka the ‘QAnon Shaman.’.

On the day of the attack, he sent messages to family and friends claiming it was a police setup and exaggerated by the media.

Stanley Woodward, Johnson’s lawyer, said his client’s role was overstated because he is an acclaimed Hollywood actor. Woodward alleged Johnson’s status was used to make a point.

Comedian Jay Johnson Fired From Bobs Burgers Post Jan 6 Capitol Riot

Johnson previously had roles on shows such as “Anchorman” and “Mr. Show,” and appeared as Officer Taylor in “Arrested Development.”

He was voicing the role of Jimmy Pesto Snr in “Bob’s Burgers”  at the time of the riot, but after being identified from the FBI images, was fired.

Johnson was also previously a writer on Mr. Show but, according to Woodward  has not been able to sustain his acting livelihood after his involvement at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.”