It’s been almost four years since the events of January 6th at the U.S. Capitol building, and people are still being sentenced for their participation in the attempt to overthrow the 2020 election (also known as an insurrection or a coup). Perhaps the most famous of those individuals, aside from the QAnon Shaman, is the ever-mustached Jay Johnston, a long-time comedic mainstay who has been in the alternative comedy scene for more than 30 years. First famous for his work with Bob Odenkirk and David Cross on Mr. Show and then on Sarah Silverman’s TV show, Johnston went on to become a big voiceover artist with roles in Bob’s Burgers, Moral Orel, Mr. Pickles, Rick & Morty, and many more series.
More than 1,500 people have been charged in connection with the events of Jan. 6, and now Johnston joins their ranks, having been sentenced to one year and one day of prison time (in addition to $2,000 in restitution and 40 hours of community service) today, Oct. 28, 2024. The actor pleaded guilty to a felony count of interfering with law enforcement during civil unrest. The Hill reports:
“‘It’s a humiliation and a horrible oversight,’ Johnston told U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols of his participation in the riot. Nichols, a Trump appointee, called Johnston’s conduct on Jan. 6 ‘problematic — reprehensible, really’ and described the actor’s statement as ‘less contrite than many’ other rioters’ remarks before being sentenced.”
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Sentencing Jay Johnston, Long-Time Comedic Actor
Jay Johnston’s career has run in tandem with the development of comedy over the past three decades, with the actor appearing (often in small roles) in some of the biggest or most significant comedy series of all time. From Ellen to Mr. Show, The Sarah Silverman Program to Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development to Parks and Recreation and Community, Johnston has likely appeared in at least one comedy anyone has watched. His many other roles include small bits in Better Call Saul, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Men in Black II, Malcolm in the Middle, Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole, Love, High School USA!, Reno 911!, Tenacious D, Human Giant, Not Another Teen Movie, Jack Frost, and Just Shoot Me.
The Hill explained the actor’s actions on January 6: “Prosecutors said Johnston flew from Los Angeles to Washington the day before the riot, then marched to the Capitol after attending the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6. There, he used a stolen police riot shield to form a ‘shield wall’ inside a tunnel against law enforcement and participated in a ‘heave-ho’ push’ that ‘pinned and crushed’ a police officer against a door frame, they said.”