Former “Bob’s Burgers” actor seeks clemency for Capitol Riot role

A former voice artist on the Fox animated series “Bob’s Hamburgers” seeks clemency for his activities in January 6 riot in the Capitol, in part because “he is a the acclaimed Hollywood actor” whose statute is used by the government “to make a point to the public”.

Jay Johnston played Jimmy Pesto in the long-running series until his casting went public on January 6, 2021. He also played Officer Taylor on “Arrested Development.”

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday four counts, inclusive felony obstruction of officersin connection with the January 6 insurrection. In the years after the revolt, hundreds of people were convicted for their roles in the chaotic and deadly day.

According to his sentencing memo, Johnston claims that “the government persistently exaggerated Mr. Johnston’s attendance at the Capitol that day” because of his celebrity status. Additionally, Johnston said the feds are pursuing his indictment on a “guilty by association” basis, “rather than focusing on the individual actions of Mr. Johnston.”

Johnston’s memo also claims that his behavior after Jan. 6 “reflects genuine remorse and an acceptance of responsibility” and notes that he contacted the government through counseling to volunteer his identity as a person represented at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. By also he volunteered. “produced all media evidence in his possession describing the events of January 6,” but “despite his cooperation and representation by counsel, the government chose to execute a search warrant on his home.”

Johnston was arrested in June 2021. Investigators said he pushed back at police with a stolen police shield at a Capitol tunnel entrance and offered aid to other rioters by rinsing chemical irritants from his eyes with bottled water.

Despite Johnston’s efforts to atone for his activities since January 6, he said, he “has not been able to make a living as an actor” and has been “publicly dropped from various projects and effectively blacklisted by the film and television industry. .”

The memo states that although Johnston pleaded guilty to civil disturbance, he “should be sentenced only for his actual conduct on January 6; independent of what might have happened around him and regardless of his status as a Hollywood actor.”

To that end, Johnston argues for the government’s recommended sentence of 18 months behind bars.

The government’s sentencing memorandum alleges that Johnston “helped at least 4 other rioters wash their eyes after being sprayed with OC spray, used a US Capitol Police riot shield to make a “wall of shield’ against the police inside the tunnel and participated in the ‘Have-ho’ push’ against the police.

Additionally, despite Johnston’s claims of remorse, government documents said he “sent messages to friends and family in the days after January 6 claiming that the events at the U.S. Capitol had been exaggerated by the media and that it was a ” configuration””.

You can read Johnston’s sentencing memo Here and the government’s response Here.