Jay Johnston: Hollywood actor jailed for his role in the January 6 riot at the US Capitol

A Hollywood actor best known for his roles in Anchorman and Mr. Show has been sentenced for his role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Jay Johnston, who also had supporting roles in Arrested Development and Bob’s Burgers, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in federal prison on Monday.

The 56-year-old Chicago man was arrested in June 2023 and He pleaded guilty in July. to a felony count of obstructing officers during a civil disorder.

He was eliminated as a featured voice on Bob’s Burgers long before the legal repercussions of his involvement.

In their sentencing memorandum, federal prosecutors, who had asked for an 18-month sentence, included a photo of him “dressed up as Jacob Chansley, known as the ‘QAnon Shaman'” at a Halloween party two years after the attack.

Prosecutors said Johnston spent about 10 minutes in the lower west tunnel leading to the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

During that time, he was accused of helping “at least four other rioters” wash their eyes after being sprayed with pepper spray.

He was also accused of using a stolen riot shield to make a “shield wall” against police and participating in a push that pinned Officer Daniel Hodges against a door frame.

Johnston “sent messages to friends and family in the days after January 6 stating that Events at the United States Capitol. were exaggerated by the media,” prosecutors added.

Attorney Stanley Woodward, who represents Johnston, said the government had “persistently exaggerated” his client’s role in the attack “because he is an acclaimed Hollywood actor.”

In a sentencing memorandum, Woodward wrote that Johnston “had been unable to maintain his livelihood as an actor” and had “essentially been blacklisted by Hollywood.”

More than 1,500 people have been arrested in connection with the attack on the Capitol, of which 1,100 of them were convicted.

More than 600 of those convicted have been sentenced to terms of incarceration ranging from a few days behind bars to 22 years in federal prison.