Jay Johnson, Bob's Burgers Voice Actor, Sentenced to Over a Year in Prison for Capitol Riot Involvement
In addition to his prison term, Johnson must complete 40 hours of community service and pay $2,000 in restitution to the Architect of the Capitol. This incident occurred shortly after Joe Biden's victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results.
Johnson pleaded guilty in July to a felony charge for interfering with law enforcement during the riot. During his sentencing, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols noted that Johnson's remorse seemed less genuine than that of others involved, calling his actions "problematic — reprehensible, really."
Prosecutors revealed that Johnson used a stolen police riot shield to form a barrier against law enforcement and participated in pushing back against officers. They argued for an 18-month sentence, claiming he showed no real regret for his actions. They also referenced a Halloween costume he wore in 2022, where he dressed as the QAnon Shaman, Jacob Chansley.
In his defense, Johnson's attorney, Stanley Woodward, argued that the prosecutors were overstating the case due to Johnson's celebrity status. Woodward claimed that the government was pursuing a "guilty-by-association" strategy. Johnson also asked for leniency, citing difficulty finding acting jobs after being "blacklisted" from Hollywood following his dismissal from Bob's Burgers.