A well-known actor sentenced to prison for his involvement in the insurrection of January 6, 2021

Jay Johnston, a comedic actor known for lending his voice to a character in the animated series Bob’s Burgers and having played supporting roles in Anchorman and Arrested Development, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison after pleading guilty to obstructing officers during the Capitol riots of January 6, 2021.

Actor Jay Johnston, who had roles on “Bob’s Burgers,” “Anchorman” and “Mr. Show,” was sentenced to a year and one day in prison for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. https://t.co/Iq0TNl8vi2

— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 29, 2024

Johnston was arrested in June 2023, and according to prosecutors, the actor spent several minutes in one of the areas where the most intense violence of the police forward took place, in the lower west tunnel leading to the Capitol.

In this tunnel, he was reportedly part of a group of protesters who pushed and pinned police officer Daniel Hodges against a door frame, causing him breathing difficulties and leaving him with injuries.

Images of the incident were widely shared on social networks and television, where Hodges can be heard screaming in pain.

According to prosecutors, in addition to taking part in the attack on Officer Hodges, Johnston allegedly used a riot shield stolen from the Capitol Police to form a shield wall and helped rioters rinse out their eyes after being sprayed with pepper spray .

In the days following January 6, according to prosecutors, the actor sent text messages to friends and family, claiming that events at the Capitol had been “exaggerated by the media” and that it was a “trap” orchestrated by ANTIFA and the police.

In addition to his sentence of 12 months and one day in federal prison, he also suffered professional consequences.

Before he was finally arrested for his actions, he had already been fired from the animated series Bob’s Burgers.

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