A Regent Square couple has pleaded guilty in federal court to obstructing law enforcement during a protest on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus in 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Pittsburgh announced Tuesday.

Brian DiPippa, 37, was indicted on one count of conspiracy and one count of obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder in 2023, according to a release. Krystal DiPippa, 42, was also charged with one count of obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder in 2023.

District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan scheduled the couple’s sentencing for Jan. 6, 2025, according to the release. Brian DiPippa will remain in custody until the sentencing date.

A news release said on April 18, 2023, the DiPippas participated in a protest as the debate "Should transgenderism be regulated by law?" between Daily Wire commentator Michael Knowles and libertarian journalist Brad Polumbo was about to take place.

Brian DiPippa laid two homemade smoke bombs near a group of people waiting to get into the event, according to the release. He additionally threw a “large explosive firework” into a group of police officers trying to form a barrier around the protesters, resulting in a loud explosion and several officers injured, while his wife shielded him, the release said.

“The United States Attorney’s Office is dedicated to prosecuting individuals who physically attack our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan in a statement. “The DiPippas went to this event not for the purpose of having their voices heard in a protest, but instead for the purpose of using this protest as a means of cover so that they could disrupt the protest and conceal themselves in a crowd while carrying out a cowardly attack on police officers.”

First Published: September 11, 2024, 12:15 p.m.
Updated: September 12, 2024, 8:02 p.m.