(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago-raised actor Jay Johnston has been arrested for allegedly taking part in the Jan. 6, 2023, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in 2021.
The FBI said it has video of Johnston, 54, at the Capitol, and authorities accused him of taking part and encouraging others in the attack. Specifically, officials said video showed Johnston pushing against police and holding a stolen police shield over his head, which he then passed to other rioters.
According to the FBI affidavit, Johnston “was close to the entrance to the tunnel, turned back and signaled for other rioters to come toward the entrance.”
Johnston was arrested and later freed on $25,000 bond.
Investigators said three of Johnston’s current or former associates identified him from pictures posted online by the FBI.
One associate also provided a text from Johnston telling of his involvement. He is said to have written: “It was a mess. Got maced and tear gassed and I found it quite untastic.”
Johnston was fired from his role on the animated sitcom “Bob’s Burgers” after he was accused of attending the Jan. 6 rally-turned-riot. For the show’s first 11 seasons, Johnston voiced Jimmy Pesto Sr.
He’s also had roles on “Better Call Saul,” “Mar. Show” and “Arrested Development.” Johnston also appeared with Chicago’s Second City and participated in shows at the Annoyance Theater.
United Airlines records show Johnston booked a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., departing on Jan. 4, 2021, and returning a day after the riot, according to the FBI. Thousands of people stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6 after attending then-President Donald Trump's “Stop the Steal” rally.
While the mob attacked police in the tunnel with pepper spray and other weapons, Johnston helped other rioters near the tunnel pour water on their faces and then joined in pushing against the line of officers, the FBI says.
More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes for their conduct at the Capitol on a Jan. 6. More than 500 of them have been sentenced, with over half getting terms of imprisonment ranging from seven days to 18 years, according to an Associated Press review of court records.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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