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Jay Johnston, a star of the Hollywood alternative comedy scene best known for his work on the HBO series Mr. Show” and as a spokesman for a pizzeria owner on the Fox series “Bob Burgers,” was arrested by the FBI for his alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 riots in the U.S. Capitol.
According to a copy of the criminal complaint, Johnston has been indicted by the Justice Department on four counts related to his presence at the Capitol. According to a copy of the arrest warrant, he was arrested in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Charges include a misdemeanor, entering or staying in a restricted building or property, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or property, and obstructing passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings.
The FBI said flight records showed Johnston flew to Washington on January 4 and returned to Los Angeles on January 7.
In addition, “The FBI interviewed three current or former Johnston employees, all of whom identified Johnston as the person in the above photographs by 247-AFO,” the complaint reads. “One of those employees sent the FBI a text message in which Johnston admitted to being at the Capitol on January 6 and stated, ‘The news portrayed it as an attack.’ Actually it wasn’t. Thought it kind of turned out that way. It was a disaster. I was treated to batons and tear gas and found it quite unsatisfactory.’”
Johnston, 52, was featured in two photos in tweets from the main FBI account in the weeks following the Capitol riot. “The #FBI is still seeking information on individuals involved in the Jan. 6 US Capitol violence,” the post said. “If you know this person, visit Tips.fbi.gov.”
Multiple responses identified the man in the photos – who was wearing a camouflage jacket and, in one photo, a camouflage face mask – as Johnston.
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The #FBI is still seeking information on individuals involved in the January 6 US Capitol violence. If you know this person, visit https://t.co/iL7sD5efWD. See photo 247 in your tip. pic.twitter.com/CetMHzU190
— FBI (@FBI) March 4, 2021
The Chicago-born actor and comedian is a Second City graduate whose big break came on the influential sketch show Mr. Show” by Bob Odenkirk and David Cross, which ran from 1995 to 1998. His work on the show often involved physical comedy, such as The Story of Everest, in which he repeatedly explores furniture.
Johnston later appeared on the Sarah Silverman Program and played Officer Jay McPherson, the boyfriend of Silverman’s sister Laura, on the series. It ran on Comedy Central from 2007 to 2010. He has also had recurring roles as a police officer on Arrested Development, appeared as a pastor on the Netflix series Love, and voices pizza restaurant owner Jimmy Pesto on the Fox series Bob Burgers.