Source: Office of United States Attorneys
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A husband and wife from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have been sentenced in federal court for their convictions of obstructing law enforcement during a 2023 public gathering and protest, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.
United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan imposed the sentences on Brian DiPippa, 37, and his wife Krystal DiPippa, 42, sentencing Brian to five years in prison and Krystal to three years of probation. The DiPippas also were ordered to jointly pay restitution to the University of Pittsburgh in the amount of $1,400, along with $47,284 to a University of Pittsburgh Police officer for financial damages the officer suffered from injuries caused by the DiPippas’s actions.
According to information presented to the Court, the DiPippas participated in an April 2023 protest on the University of Pittsburgh campus, during which Brian ignited and dropped two homemade incendiary smoke devices in and around a line of people waiting to enter a building for a scheduled event featuring guest speakers. When university police officers gathered and formed a barrier to prevent protesters from entering the rear of the building, Brian, concealed by Krystal, ignited and threw a large explosive firework into the group of officers, causing a loud explosion and injuries to several officers.
“The DiPippas conspired to injure law enforcement officers and cause chaos at a college campus protest,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “They attacked brave men and women who were trying to maintain order and protect the attendees. Today’s sentencings—and particularly the years of incarceration imposed on Brian DiPippa—should serve as a deterrent for anyone who would consider engaging in such outrageous and dangerous conduct in the future.”
“The individuals sentenced today deployed explosive devices that injured police officers who were working to maintain order and protect public safety,” said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek. “These sentencings send a clear message that the FBI and our partners will use all available tools to bring to justice those who seek to injure, maim, or attack law enforcement officers. The FBI and our Joint Terrorism Task Force partners across the country stand committed to our mission of protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution.”
Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
United States Attorney Olshan commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force, of which the University of Pittsburgh Police is a member; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of the DiPippas.