Deadline has reported that actor Jay Johnston has been arrested for his alleged participation in the January 6, 2021 siege on the United States Capitol. Johnston surrendered to authorities in Los Angeles after a warrant for his arrest was issued yesterday.
The Bob’s Burgers alum is facing several federal charges including obstruction of law enforcement, according to Deadline. Other misdemeanors listed include civil disorder, impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or building, and entering a restricted area, via The Hollywood Reporter.
According to Deadline, Johnston had been on the FBI’s radar since March 2021 when authorities shared photos allegedly depicting Johnston in the melee. Not long after the photos went viral in a tweet, several sources came forward confirming the man in the photos was indeed the Mr. Show and Arrested Development comedian.
According to the FBI’s official complaint, Johnston had allegedly booked a flight to Washington D.C. on January 4, returning to Los Angeles on January 7, via The Hollywood Reporter. The FBI also interviewed three alleged associates of Johnston who later confirmed it was him in the circulating photos. One of the alleged associates also provided text messages in which Johnson himself allegedly confirmed his presence at the Capitol on Jan. 6.
“The news has presented it as an attack. It actually wasn’t.,” Johnson allegedly stated in the text messages, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Thought it kind of turned into that. It was a mess. Got maced and tear gassed and I found it quite untastic.”
According to Deadline, Johnston had voiced Jimmy Pesto in several episodes of the Fox animated comedy before being let go in December 2021 for his alleged association with the insurrection. Of the more than 1,000 alleged Jan. 6 rioters arrested, 280 are currently behind bars. Johnston was set to appear in court later today.