'Bob's Burgers' actor Jay Johnston pleads guilty in Capitol riot case

"Bob's Burgers" and "Arrested Development" actor Jay Johnston has entered a guilty plea for participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

During a hearing in Washington, D.C. on Monday morning, Johnston pleaded guilty to one felony charge of obstructing officers during a civil disorder, according to court records reviewed by USA TODAY Tuesday.

The 55-year-old will be sentenced Oct. 7. He remains released on his own recognizance.

USA TODAY has reached out to Johnston's lawyer for comment.

The civil disorder charge applies to someone who "commits or attempts to commit any act to obstruct, impede or interfere with" law enforcement duties during civil disorder. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or twice the cost of the offense and three years of supervised release.

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On June 11, Johnston received a plea offer from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, which he signed June 17. In the document, reviewed by USA TODAY, Johnston agreed to undergo an interview with law enforcement agents and allow them to review his social media accounts for statements and posts concerning the Capitol riot.

According to prosecutors, the Jan. 6 riot caused $2.9 million in damage to the Capitol building and "additional losses" to the police department. Johnston will be required to pay $2,000 in restitution.

What was Jay Johnston accused of doing on Jan. 6?

In 2023, Johnston and several associates were charged with civil disorder, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building and grounds, entering and remaining in a restricted building and grounds, as well as impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings.

The actor voiced Jimmy Pesto on "Bob's Burgers" and played Officer Taylor on "Arrested Development," an eyewitness news member in "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" and various characters on the short-lived sketch comedy series "W/Bob and David."

In a 2023 statement of facts document obtained by USA TODAY, the FBI said it had interviewed "three current and former associates" of Johnston, all of whom identified the actor as the individual in still images from footage of the riot taken from public videos, closed circuit television and police body cameras.

Johnston was reportedly seen pushing "against police" and aiding "other rioters" near the Capitol's entrance.

According to prosecutors, Johnston's actions caused "bodily injury" to an officer, per the plea offer issued in June.

The document also noted one of the former associates presented the FBI with text messages from Johnston about the riot. He reportedly wrote: "The news has presented it as an attack. It actually wasn't. (Though) it kind of turned into that. It was a mess. Got maced and tear gassed …" the document stated.

According to the FBI, United Airlines records showed Johnston had a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., departing Jan. 4 and returning Jan. 7, 2021.

Contributing: KiMi Robinson