Bob Burger’s Actor Jay Johnston Arrested for Participating in January 6 Riots

Jay Johnston has been arrested for his alleged role in the riots that took place on January 6, which saw hundreds of supporters of then-President Trump invade the U.S. Capitol, THR reports.

Johnston, who is best-known for his role as antagonist Jimmy Pesto in Bob’s Burgers, was allegedly present at those riots. Johnston was identified in a photo by “three current or former associates,” and he has since been brought into custody.

Johnston is being charged with civil disorder, entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and impeding passage through the Capitol grounds or buildings.

According to the complaint, Johnston sent a text message to one of his colleages that read in part, “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.”

Images of Johnston at the January 6 attacks first emerged back in early 2021, showing him wearing a camouflage mask. The images quickly began trending on Twitter, with some fans joking that storming the capitol is exactly what Jimmy Pesto would do.

Johnston stopped appeared in Bob’s Burgers soon afterward, his last appearance being in early 2021. Jimmy Pesto does have a role in the Bob’s Burger movie, but he has not appeared in an episode this season.

Aside from Bob’s Burgers, Johnston has had roles in Mr. Show and Arrested Development, and he also appeared in the Netflix series Love. Bob’s Burgers wrapped its 13th season late last month, with a 14th and 15th season also planned. Just don’t expect to see Jimmy Pesto anytime soon.

Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.