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Actor Sentenced for Role in Capitol Riot
Actor Jay Johnston, known for roles in “Anchorman” and “Bob’s Burgers,” was sentenced to a year in prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Johnston pleaded guilty to obstructing officers during the civil disorder.
Prosecutors alleged that Johnston participated in a push against police officers, causing one officer to be injured. He was also photographed holding a stolen officer’s shield and creating a “shield wall” with other rioters.
Johnston was arrested in 2023 and pleaded guilty this past July. Despite his legal team’s request for a sentence of 4 to 10 months, he received 12 months and one day, which is less than the maximum sentence of five years.
The sentencing memo from Johnston’s team stated that he had been working as a handyman after being “blacklisted” by the entertainment industry following the riot. They argued that he had not been able to sustain his livelihood as an actor since his involvement.
Over 1,488 defendants have been charged in connection with the Capitol riot, with many charged with entering or remaining in a restricted federal building. Johnston’s sentencing is the latest in a series of high-profile punishments for those who participated in the attack.