October 29th 2024.
Actor Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Role in U.S. Capitol Attack
In a courtroom in Washington, D.C., on Monday, a well-known actor from the television shows "Bob's Burgers" and "Arrested Development" was sentenced to one year in prison for his involvement in the U.S. Capitol attack almost four years ago.
Jay Johnston, 56, hailing from Los Angeles, was part of a mob that pushed against police officers guarding a tunnel entrance to the Capitol during the riot on January 6, 2021. According to prosecutors, Johnston not only participated in the physical assault, but also made jokes and interacted with other rioters while recording the violence on his phone.
During the hearing, Johnston expressed remorse for his actions, admitting that he made it harder for the police to do their job that day. He also stated that he never would have imagined that a riot would break out.
"I believe it was due to my own ignorance," Johnston told U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols. "If I had been more politically aware, I might have seen it coming."
Despite his regret, Judge Nichols still sentenced Johnston to one year and one day in prison. However, he allowed Johnston to remain free until he has to report to prison on a date to be determined. The judge also acknowledged the fact that Johnston will be separated from his 13-year-old autistic daughter while serving his sentence.
"However, his behavior on January 6th was extremely problematic. Frankly, it was reprehensible," Judge Nichols stated.
Johnston pleaded guilty to interfering with police officers during a civil disorder, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Prosecutors recommended an 18-month prison sentence for Johnston, citing a photo of him dressed as the "QAnon Shaman" at a Halloween party two years after the riot as evidence of his lack of remorse.
"He sees his participation in one of the most serious crimes against our democracy as a joke," prosecutors wrote.
Johnston is known for his roles as pizzeria owner Jimmy Pesto Sr. in "Bob's Burgers," a police officer in "Arrested Development," and a street-brawling newsman in the movie "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy." He also appeared on "Mr. Show with Bob and David," an HBO sketch comedy series.
According to Johnston's defense attorney Stanley Woodward, the actor has been "essentially blacklisted" in Hollywood since the riot. Woodward also stated that Johnston has been working as a handyman for the past two years, a far cry from his usual career in film and television.
Woodward accused the government of exaggerating Johnston's involvement in the riot because of his celebrity status.
On January 6th, Johnston attended then-President Donald Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally near the White House before joining the rioters at the Capitol. He even used a metal bike rack to climb a stone wall to reach the Capitol's West Plaza.
Once inside the tunnel, Johnston helped other rioters flush chemical irritants out of their eyes and even received a stolen police shield, which he handed up to others closer to the police line. He then joined in on the "heave ho" push against the police, which resulted in an officer being crushed against a door frame.
Johnston recorded himself making a joke as the rioters pushed an orange ladder towards the police, saying, "We're going to get those light bulbs fixed!"
The day after the riot, Johnston sent a text to an acquaintance admitting that he was at the Capitol on January 6th, but claiming that it was not an attack and had turned into a mess.
FBI agents seized Johnston's phone when they searched his home in California in June 2021.
To date, over 1,500 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol riot, with over 1,000 of them being convicted and sentenced. Approximately 650 of those sentenced have received prison time ranging from a few days to 22 years.
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