Two Pittsburgh Residents Indicted on Charges of Conspiracy and Obstruction of Law Enforcement During Civil Disorder

PITTSBURGH, PA – Two residents of Pittsburgh, PA, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy and obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today.

The three-count Indictment named Brian DiPippa, age 36, and his wife, Krystal DiPippa, age 40, as defendants.

According to the Indictment, on April 18, 2023, the DiPippas participated in a protest at the O’Hara Student Center on the University of Pittsburgh campus, at which time Brian DiPippa ignited and dropped two homemade smoke bomb containers in and around a line of persons waiting to enter the O’Hara Student Center to attend a scheduled event featuring guest speakers.

The Indictment further alleges that, when Pitt Police officers gathered and formed a barrier to prevent the protesters from entering the rear of the building, Brian DiPippa, concealed by his wife, Krystal DiPippa, ignited and threw a large explosive firework into the group of Pitt officers, causing a loud explosion and injuries to several officers.

Brian DiPippa was also charged with using an explosive to commit a federal felony.

For the charges of conspiracy and obstruction of law enforcement, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $500,000 or both.

The charge of using an explosive to commit a federal felony has a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years imprisonment, with a maximum fine of $250,000.

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force, of which the University of Pittsburgh Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Pittsburgh Bureau of Police are all members, conducted the investigation leading to the Indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.