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Hollywood Actor Sentenced after Pleading Guilty to Felony Charge Stemming from January 6th Riot: Prosecutors

Hollywood Actor Sentenced after Pleading Guilty to Felony Charge Stemming from January 6th Riot: Prosecutors

A well-known actor, famous for his roles as a street-brawling newsman in a popular movie and a pizzeria owner in a beloved television series, has recently pleaded guilty to interfering with police officers during the unfortunate attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Los Angeles resident Jay Johnston, aged 55, has pleaded guilty to civil disorder, a felony, and could potentially face up to five years in prison as a maximum sentence. Johnston is set to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols on October 7th.

Johnston’s attorney, Stanley Woodward, advised his client against speaking to reporters as they exited the courtroom.

Johnston, who was taken into custody last June, is among the over 1,400 individuals facing federal charges in connection with the January 6th assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Johnston “was close to the entrance to the tunnel, turned back and signaled for other rioters to come towards the entrance,” the agent wrote.

Video allegedly shows Johnston, wearing a green camouflage neck gaiter and a dark leather jacket, “participated with other rioters in a group assault on the officers,” prosecutors said, and later “joined other rioters in pushing repeatedly against the defending police officers.”

“The rioters coordinated the timing of the pushes by yelling ‘Heave! Ho!'” prosecutors wrote, while posting more than a dozen screen grabs of video from the incident.

An FBI agent’s affidavit states that video footage shows Johnston actively engaging with rioters and pushing against police officers who were guarding an entrance to the Capitol in a tunnel on the Lower West Terrace. According to the affidavit, Johnston allegedly held a police shield above his head and passed it to fellow rioters during the incident on January 6, 2021.

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Hollywood Actor Sentenced after Pleading Guilty to Felony Charge Stemming from January 6th Riot Prosecutors (1)
Image: Tampa Free Press

A video reportedly shows Johnston, who was wearing a green camouflage neck gaiter and a dark leather jacket, allegedly taking part in a group assault on the officers, according to prosecutors. Later on, the video shows Johnston joining other rioters in repeatedly pushing against the defending police officers.

Johnston provided the voice for the character Jimmy Pesto on the popular show “Bob’s Burgers” on Fox. In 2021, Johnston faced consequences and was no longer involved with the animated show following the Capitol attack, per CBS News.

According to the agent, three individuals who are currently or were previously associated with Johnston have identified him as a suspect in the riot based on photos published online by the FBI. An associate of Johnston shared a text message with investigators, in which Johnston admitted to being present at the Capitol on January 6th, according to the FBI.

Arkansas Man Arrested for Assaulting Police Officers during Jan 6 Capitol Riots; Also Hoisted Anti-Govt Group Flag: FEDS

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