‘Bob’s Burgers’ star Jay Johnston arrested over Jan. 6 riot after internet sleuths identified him

A Bob’s Burgers voice actor has been arrested in Los Angeles for participating in the January 6 riots at the Capitol after being identified by internet sleuths.

Jay Johnston, who voiced the character Jimmy Pesto Sr. on the Fox series, was charged with the felony of obstructing officers during civil disorder after online sleuths helped the FBI identify him.

Prosecutors say the 53-year-old used a stolen police shield in the battle between rioters and police as Donald Trump supporters tried to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s 2021 election victory.

Johnston is also accused of “aiding at least three other rioters by pouring water over the rioters’ faces.”

According to an indictment, the actor was photographed in the Capitol’s Upper West tunnel, where police say most of the violent attacks by rioters took place.

In March 2021, the FBI posted two images of the actor wearing a green leather jacket and camo collar and asked the public for help identifying him

The FBI says Johnston is seen holding a stolen police shield in this photo during the riot

Johnston was one of hundreds of people present at the riot who were identified by online sleuths after authorities began posting photos of people taking part in the uprising.

In March 2021, the FBI posted two images of the actor wearing a green leather jacket and camo collar and asking the public for help identifying him.

Although his presence at the riots was not officially confirmed, many observers at the time pointed to the resemblance to the actor.

“I know it’s not him, but this guy looks like Jay Johnston from Mr. Show with Bob and David,” was a response to the FBI’s tweet.

Oh man, that breaks my heart. Jay Johnston is one of my favorite MrShow cast members,” said another Twitter user. “Ironically, he once played an insurgent on TV!”

Cassandra Church, an actress who worked with Johnston, tweeted, “I’m not a detective, but I know Jay. He said he was there. And that’s him in the picture.’

Another former co-star, Spencer Crittenden, said in a deleted tweet that Johnston was “a cowardly Trump supporter and was there at the time.”

The FBI said a lawyer for Johnston contacted their National Threat Operations Center on March 8, 2021.

Prosecutors say the above image shows the moment Johnston handed a bottle of water to a rioter

Johnston, who voiced the character Jimmy Pesto Sr on the Fox series, was ‘banned’ from the show over a year ago

Johnston’s arrest comes more than a year after he was “banned” from the popular animated TV show Bob’s Burgers for his alleged involvement in the riots.

The Daily Beast reported in December 2021 that he was suspended after people came forward saying they knew Johnston was actually present at the riots.

The comedian previously worked on the HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David and starred in The Sarah Silverman Program.

He has also appeared in Arrested Development and the movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

The riots in the Capitol on January 6 occurred as Congress was in the process of counting the Electoral College ballots and certifying Joe Biden’s presidential victory.

The siege followed a rally near the White House earlier that day in which Trump urged supporters to march to the Capitol during a speech in which he repeated false claims that the election had been stolen from him through widespread vote fraud.

Four people died the day of the riot, and a Capitol police officer died the following day from injuries sustained while defending Congress. Hundreds of police officers were injured in the hours-long battle, and four officers have since committed suicide.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested since the attack and more arrests are expected.