Actor Jay Johnston is arrested over Jan. 6 riot after internet sleuths identified 'Bob's Burgers' star in 'attack on cops with stolen riot shield'

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A Bob's Burgers voice actor has been arrested in Los Angeles over taking part in the January 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol after he was identified by internet sleuths.

Jay Johnston, who voiced the character Jimmy Pesto Sr on the Fox series, was today charged with felony obstruction of officers during civil disorder.

Footage shows the 53-year-old pushing against cops and passing a stolen riot shield over his head to other rioters during the siege on the Capitol in 2021, according to an FBI affidavit.

The charges against Johnston come after the FBI posted photos on Twitter more than two years ago showing him taking part in the unrest and asking the public for information on his identity.

One user had even commented on the post saying: 'I know it is not him but this guy looks like Jay Johnston from Mr. Show with Bob and David.'

Bob's Burgers' Jay Johnston was arrested in connection to the January 6 riots at the Capitol

In March 2021, the FBI posted two images of the actor wearing a green leather jacket and camouflage neck gaiter and asked the public for help identifying him

The FBI says this image shows Johnston holding a stolen police shield during the riots

Another user replied: 'It is him.'

Johnston is accused of 'assisting at least three other rioters by pouring water on the rioters' faces.' 

According to a criminal complaint, the actor was pictured at the Capitol's upper west tunnel, where police say most of the violent attacks by rioters took place.

Johnston was one of hundreds of people present at the riots who were identified by online sleuths after authorities began posting pictures of people who took part in the insurrection.

In March 2021, the FBI posted two images of the actor wearing a green leather jacket and camouflage neck gaiter and asked the public for help identifying him.

While his presence at the riots was not officially confirmed, many observers pointed out the resemblance to the actor at the time. 

'Oh man, that breaks my heart. Jay Johnston is one of my favorite cast members of MrShow,' on user posted. 'Ironically, he played an insurrectionist on TV once!'

Cassandra Church, an actress who worked with Johnston, tweeted: 'I'm no detective, but I do know Jay. He said he was there. And that's him in the picture.'

Another former co-star, Spencer Crittenden, said in a deleted tweet that Johnston was 'a craven Trump supporter and was there at the time.'

The FBI said an attorney for Johnston contacted their National Threat Operations Center on March 8, 2021. 

Prosecutors say the above image shows the moment Johnston handled a bottle of water to a rioter

Johnston, who voiced the character Jimmy Pesto Sr on the Fox series, was 'banned' from the show more than a year ago

Johnston's arrest comes more than a year after he was 'banned' from the hit animated TV show Bob's Burgers over his alleged involvement in the riots. 

The Daily Beast reported in December of 2021 that he had been axed after people came forward saying they had knowledge Johnston was actually present at the riots.

The comedian previously worked on the HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David and starred in The Sarah Silverman Program.

He has also appeared on Arrested Development and the film, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

The riots at the Capitol on January 6 occurred as Congress was working on counting the Electoral College ballots and certifying Joe Biden's presidential victory. 

The siege followed a rally near the White House earlier that day in which Trump exhorted supporters to march on the Capitol during a speech in which he repeated false claims that the election was stolen from him through widespread voting fraud.

Four people died the day of the riot, and one Capitol police officer died the next day of injuries sustained while defending Congress. Hundreds of police were injured during the multi-hour melee and four officers have since taken their own lives.

More than 1,000 people have been arrested since the assault, and more arrests are expected.