Jay Johnston sentenced to 1 year in prison for his role on January 6

Former Bob’s Burgers actor Jay Johnston was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for his role in the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Johnston, voice of Jimmy Pesto Bob’s Burgerspreviously pleaded guilty to a felony charge of interfering with law enforcement during civil unrest in July 2024.

Before sentencing, Johnston told U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols that his participation in the attack was a “horrible oversight.” Judge Nichols, a Trump appointee, described Johnston’s behavior as “problematic and indeed reprehensible” and said his statement did not reflect remorse.

The 56-year-old actor was initially arrested in June 2023 after the F.B.I. tweeted photo with a request to provide information about his identity. He allegedly led a group to the “front line of rioters confronting police defending the entrance” to the Capitol, helping launch an attack on a group of officers.

“During this time, he: (1) helped at least four other rioters wash their eyes after spraying them with OC spray; (2) used a stolen U.S. Capitol Police shield to build a “shield wall” against the police inside the tunnel; and (3) participated in a push that pinned MPD Officer Daniel Hodges against the door frame,” federal prosecutors said.

After internet sleuths identified Johnston on FBI footage, he was fired from his Bob’s Burgers role as Jimmy Pesto Sr. in December 2021. He was previously a writer and actor on the series. Mister Shaw and portrayed Officer Taylor in Developmental delay.