Photos have emerged on social media allegedly showing the married couple indicted in connection to an April protest at the University of Pittsburgh during a debate on transgenderism with Daily Wire host Michael Knowles.
Andy Ngo, a journalist known for his reporting on Antifa’s activism and violence, shared to Twitter on Saturday evening photos that he said were of Brian and Krystal DiPippa, Pittsburgh residents who now face charges over a violent clash with law enforcement at the event.
“Update: Photos of Brian & Krystal DiPippa have been found. These two have a long history of far-left extremism & were federally indicted last week over #Antifa explosive attacks on a [Knowles] event in Pittsburgh,” Ngo said.
Update: Photos of Brian & Krystal DiPippa have been found. These two have a long history of far-left extremism & were federally indicted last week over #Antifa explosive attacks on a @michaeljknowles event in Pittsburgh.
The criminal complaint says the suspects are part of an… https://t.co/tMY1sN5rei pic.twitter.com/PCogfODNnZ
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) July 9, 2023
“The criminal complaint says the suspects are part of an extremist cell that meets at the Big Idea Bookstore in Pittsburgh,” Ngo added. The journalist further explained that “anarchist bookstores” operate as meeting and training spaces for Antifa.
Ngo also encouraged followers to visit his Locals page, where he posted a related FBI agent’s affidavit in support of a search warrant, which included a timeline and insight into how investigators later identified the DiPippas, who were described as wearing masks during the protest. The 34-page affidavit also noted how investigators were informed that Brian DiPippa repeatedly triggered airport security alarms sometime around early to mid May with belongings that tested positive for explosive compound RDX, but security “cleared” the alarms and he was allowed to travel.
“Wow. First I’m seeing the criminal complaint and timeline,” Knowles said in a tweet responding to Ngo. “I haven’t spoken much of this because threats and even physical attacks unfortunately come with the territory for conservatives in public life. But this was far more dangerous and coordinated than I previously knew.”
Wow. First I’m seeing the criminal complaint and timeline. I haven’t spoken much of this because threats and even physical attacks unfortunately come with the territory for conservatives in public life. But this was far more dangerous and coordinated than I previously knew. https://t.co/gi9Ypm2WJw
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) July 9, 2023
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced last week that Brian DiPippa, 36, and Krystal DiPippa, 40, had been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of conspiracy and obstruction of law enforcement. Brian DiPippa was additionally charged with using an explosive to commit a federal felony, according to a U.S. Attorney’s Office news release.
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“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 DOJ release said.
“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,” the release added.
The charges of conspiracy and obstruction of law enforcement could warrant a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, or both if the defendants are found guilty. Using an explosive to commit a federal felony carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
Knowles, who participated in the debate titled “Should transgenderism be regulated by law?” with libertarian journalist Brad Polumbo, reacted to the charges with a tweet that said, “Very pleased to see the FBI arrest a couple of the anarchists who set off an explosive at one of my campus events this semester!”