'Bob's Burgers' star Jay Johnston arrested by FBI over Capitol riots

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By James Kay

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Jay Johnston, who played Jimmy Pesto in Bob's Burgers has been arrested by the FBI following the Capitol riots in 2021.

As reported by NBC News, the 54-year-old actor was let go from the show just before the 12th season after it came to light that he was allegedly at the insurrection on January 6.

The creators of the show didn't want to make a "big deal" about his exit after he was identified in photos of the Capitol riots and was subsequently arrested.

According to the outlet, the FBI complaint alleges that Johnston assisted other rioters who had been affected by tear gas, as he poured water over their faces.

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Jay Johnston was identified as being at the insurrection at the Capitol. Credit: Neilson Barnard / Getty

Alongside this, he allegedly stole a riot shield from a police officer and used it in order to battle with them.

Following the riots, images of a man wearing a camouflaged mask were tweeted by the FBI, and many believed the man in them to be Johnston.

The complaint was lodged in March 2021 after the FBI asked for information regarding those who were involved in the riots.

"The FBI has interviewed three current or former associates of Johnston, all of whom identified Johnston as the individual in the above photographs of 247-AFO," the complaint read.

It continued: "One of these associates provided the FBI with a text message in which Johnston acknowledged being at the Capitol on January 6, stating '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.'"

The riots broke out while Congress was counting the Electoral College ballots to cement Joe Biden's position as the newly elected President.

Donald Trump claimed voter fraud and urged his followers to march on the Capitol, which soon turned into a riot that saw the Capitol Building get stormed.

Hundreds were injured in the conflict, with four people losing their lives, alongside a police officer who succumbed to injuries he sustained while defending the Congress.

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Jimmy Pesto (right) in Bob's Burgers. Credit: FOX / Getty

According to NBC News, more than 1000 arrests have been made following the chaos, and hundreds more are in line to be brought before the courts.

Johnston's other credits include Arrested Development, Love, and The Sarah Silverman Program.

Featured image credit: FOX / Getty