An actor and comedian known for his role on the cult HBO comedy “Mr. Show,” as well as parts on “Better Call Saul,” “Arrested Development” and “Bob’s Burgers,” has been arrested and charged with felony civil disorder for taking part in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Jay Johnston, who also had small roles in the movies “Anchorman” and “Men in Black II,” is also accused of disorderly conduct, trespassing and blocking passage through the Capitol area. Prosecutors say he took part in a mass push against police in a tunnel on the west side of the Capitol, where some of the worst violence of the riot occurred.
Johnston “participated with other rioters in a group assault on the officers” guarding that entrance, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit.
He also encouraged others to join the fray, according to the FBI, helping rioters wash chemical spray out of their eyes and passing a stolen police riot shield back to others in the mob.
Afterward, according to prosecutors, Johnston texted someone to say he was at the Capitol: “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.”
Johnston’s attorney was not immediately listed on court records.
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
Pictures of Johnston were first released by the FBI on March 4, 2021, in a tweet asking for help identifying him and others suspected of assaulting police. According to the court record, an attorney for Johnston contacted the agency four days later and acknowledged he was the man in those photographs. Federal law enforcement is continuing to make arrests for involvement in the riot, with more than 1,000 people charged.
The Daily Beast reported in late 2021 that Johnston was fired from his role as the voice of Jimmy Pesto on “Bob’s Burgers” due to his involvement in the riot.
Johnston came out of the Chicago comedy scene, performing with Annoyance Theater and Second City. After his work on “Mr. Show,” an absurdist sketch-comedy series hosted by David Cross and Bob Odenkirk that ran on HBO in the mid-1990s, Johnston’s biggest role was on “The Sarah Silverman Program.” He played a police officer.