A Pittsburgh couple has been sentenced for their actions during a protest at the University of Pittsburgh in April 2023, which resulted in injuries to law enforcement officers. Brian DiPippa, 37, received a five-year prison sentence, while his wife, Krystal DiPippa, 42, was sentenced to three years of probation. The incident included the use of homemade incendiary devices and an explosive firework, causing both disruption and bodily harm.
At the sentencing, United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan also ordered the couple to pay restitution for the damages. According to information by the U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Pennsylvania, the restitution totals $1,400 to the University of Pittsburgh and $47,284 to an injured University of Pittsburgh Police officer. The protest turned violent when the DiPippas deployed their homemade devices as police officers attempted to prevent the crowd from entering a building hosting a scheduled event.
United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan highlighted the gravity of the DiPippas's actions, stating, "They attacked brave men and women who were trying to maintain order and protect the attendees." FBI’s Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge, Kevin Rojek, echoed Olshan’s sentiments and emphasized the consequences of attacking law enforcement officers, mentioning, "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 investigation into the DiPippas was a cooperative effort involving several agencies, including the FBI; the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, of which the University of Pittsburgh Police is a member; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney successfully prosecuted the case against the DiPippas.
