Former ‘Bob’s Burgers’ voice actor Jay Johnston was arrested in Los Angeles on Wednesday for his involvement in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Johnston turned himself in at the FBI’s field office in L.A. on Wednesday, a day after the FBI issued a warrant for him. That afternoon, he appeared in U.S. District Court where he was released on $25,000 bail and ordered to participate in a remote hearing on June 13.
Johnston has been charged with felony obstruction of officers during civil disorder, as well as several misdemeanor offenses, according to court reports.
Although the warrant was only issued this week, the FBI had publicly been looking for more information about Johnston’s involvement in the attack for over two years. In March 2021, the organization tweeted two photos of the actor which were taken during the January 6 riots. In December 2021, it was confirmed that Johnston had been banned from further involvement with the Bob’s Burgers series.
The #FBI is still seeking information on people who took part in the violence at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. If you know this individual, visit https://t.co/iL7sD5efWD. Refer to photo 247 in your tip. pic.twitter.com/CetMHzU190
— FBI (@FBI) March 4, 2021
The FBI’s latest report is thorough and indicates the agency spoke with three of Johnston’s associates who confirmed he is the person in the photographs. In a text message from Johnston to one of the associates, Johnston wrote, “The news has presented it as an attack. It actually wasn’t. Thought it kind of turned into that. It was a mess. Got maced and tear gassed and I found it quite untastic.”
The affidavit says there is also video of Johnston pushing against police and helping other rioters attack officers guarding an entrance to the Capitol in a tunnel on the Lower West Terrace.
Additionally, the FBI uncovered flight records that show Johnston booked a round-trip flight from L.A. to Washington DC leaving on January 4 and returning on January 7.
According to the Associated Press, Over 1,000 people involved in the January 6 riots have been charged with federal crimes. More than 500 of them have been sentenced so far, with more than half of those receiving jail time ranging from seven days to 18 years.
