Voice actor Jay Johnston was arrested on Wednesday for charges related to the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6.
After the Department of Justice issued a warrant for his arrest, the “Bob’s Burgers” actor was picked up by the FBI in Los Angeles.
‘Bob’s Burgers’ Star Jay Johnston Arrested On Charges From Jan. 6 Attack On U.S. Capitol
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
On Wednesday, June 7, “Bob’s Burgers” actor Jay Johnston was arrested for being part of a “group assault” on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, according to court documents obtained by Deadline. The actor has been charged with “obstruction of law enforcement performing their duties, as well as misdemeanors of entering a restricted area, and hampering the conduct of government business.”
The investigation into his participation in the attack on the U.S. Capitol first started on March 2021, when the FBI took to Twitter to request information on the individual shown in the photos.
I know it is not him but this guy looks like Jay Johnston from Mr. Show with Bob and David. pic.twitter.com/lcuvhDUZ3L
— L. Ron Howard (@LRonHoward) March 5, 2021
Some fans actually did not believe that the actor could have played a role in the Capitol Riot. One user commented, “I know it is not him but this guy looks like Jay Johnston from Mr. Show with Bob and David.”
Another user later replied, “It is him.”
— Rockin’ Bubbles “Thank God It’s” Rialto🐈🌻 (@PippiTheCat1) December 18, 2021
Another user added a GIF of Bob from “Bob’s Burgers,” saying, “D— you, Jimmy Pesto.” Johnston has voiced pizzeria owner Jimmy Pesto for dozens of episodes of the Fox animated series.
However, he has also appeared in other shows, like “Better Call Saul” and “The Sarah Silverman Program.” However, in December 2021, at least two sources revealed that Johnston has been “banned” from the animated series due to his alleged involvement in the Capitol Riot.
According to Snopes, co-star Tim Heidecker said that it was “fully confirmed” through “reliable sources” that the man in the FBI’S tweet was Johnston, although that tweet has since been deleted. Snopes also reported that two other actors that starred with Johnston in the 2014 documentary “Harmontown” – Spencer Crittenden and Cassandra Church – came forward to say that Johnston had attended the rally and been a strong supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The FBI’s Tweet Helped To Identify Johnston
Big day over here. #NationalHamburgerDay pic.twitter.com/jsyKIBhws9
— Bob’s Burgers (@BobsBurgersFOX) May 28, 2023
According to the legal papers, “On or about March 8, 2021, an attorney contacted the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center (“NTOC”) and stated that s/he represented JAY JAMES JOHNSTON, who was the individual pictured in publicly disseminated photographs 247-AFO.”
“The FBI has interviewed three current or former associates of JOHNSTON, all of whom identified JOHNSTON as the individual in the above photographs of 247-AFO,” the document continued. “One of these associates provided the FBI with a text message in which JOHNSTON acknowledged being at the Capitol on January 6, stating ‘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 court papers go on to say that “Records from United Airlines show that JOHNSTON had a round-trip flight reservation from Los Angeles, California to Washington, D.C. departing on January 4, 2021, and returning on January 7, 2021.”
Fans Poked Fun At Jay Johnston After He Was ‘Banned’ From ‘Bob’s Burgers’
Man, after hearing Jay Johnston being suspended from Bob’s Burgers for taking part in Capital Riot.. I doubt he’ll be invited to anymore Mr Show reunions..
— 💉RichardK (fully Pfized) (@GojiraHawk) December 19, 2021
Many fans took to social media to share their thoughts on Jimmy Pesto’s sudden disappearance from the show. One fan thought that they should work the controversy into a storyline, called “Pesto Got Aresto Burger.” Another fan suggested “Capitol Rye-it burger,” adding, “Comes with a side of 3-5 years.”
“Pesto gets arrested for being at the riots on the 6th,” another fan suggested. “Jimmy’s brother takes over but he doesn’t know anything about running the restaurant. He goes to Bob for help and Bob helps and they become friends. Then something happens like they find there are only so many customers to be had and they are direct competition no matter what and end up hating each other. The status quo returns.”
