An actor who appeared in the comedy “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” and was the voice of the pizzeria owner in the animated Fox series “Bob’s Burgers” pleaded guilty last week for interfering with police officers during the January 6 riot at the Capitol.
According to a July 8 press release from the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, 55-year-old Jay Johnston pleaded guilty to one felony count of civil disorder in connection to his involvement in the Capitol riot.
According to court documents, Johnston, who was arrested in June 2023, was among the group of rioters that gathered on the Lower West Plaza near the Tunnel entrance where some of the most violent attacks against police officers took place.
Video footage of the crowd showed Johnston shoving against police and assisting other rioters who were attacking the officers guarding the entrance to the Tunnel, according to court records.
The actor was filmed holding a police shield over his head and passing it to other rioters.
US District Judge Carl Nichols will sentence Johnston on October 7.
Johnston could face up to five years in prison. However, as part of the plea agreement, prosecutors are recommending a prison sentence of between eight and 14 months but the judge is not bound to adhere to the sentencing recommendations made in the plea.
Johnston, who was providing the voice of pizzeria owner Jimmy Pesto at the time of the Capitol Riot, was fired from the Fox series for his involvement in the January 6 attack.
Three of Johnston’s associates recognized him as one of the rioters from photos published online by the FBI. One of his associates provided the FBI with text messages from the actor in which he admitted being involved in the January 6 riot, which he described as “quite untastic.”
Johnston’s other credits include bit parts in the series “Arrested Development” and the HBO sketch comedy series “Mr. Show with Bob and David.”
