Background
In the early hours of May 19th, 2023, heavily-armed agents raided the home of two Pittsburgh community members, Brian “Peppy” DiPippa and Krystal DiPippa. Nearly a month and a half later, they were both federally indicted, and on June 30th,2023, they surrendered to the court. 

The case against Peppy and Krystal (USA v. DIPIPPA et al, (W.D. Pa. 2024) arose out of an April 18, 2023, demonstration against a University of Pittsburgh-sanctioned event that promoted hatred toward transgender people and communities. The speaking event features notorious transphobes Brad Polumbo and Michael Knowles, and posed the question, “should transgenderism be regulated by law?” 

The government alleges that in the protests outside the event, a “civil disorder” occurred, when one commercially available firework and two homemade “smoke bombs” were discharged. This “civil disorder” forms the context in which Krystal and Peppy were charged. 

Charges
Krystal, who was released on pre-trial probation, was charged with (1) conspiracy and (2) obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. 

Peppy was detained when he surrendered to the court on June 30, 2023 and has been imprisoned since. He was charged with (1) conspiracy, (2) obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, and (3) use of explosive to commit a federal felony. Both entered not guilty pleas.

Plea and Sentencing
Because they were charged with conspiracy as co-defendants, they were facing equal amounts of prison time, in a range that could have exceeded 10 years. Considering all the personal risks of going to trial,and factoring in the larger political context of the case, Peppy and Krystal accepted a non-cooperating deal and changed their plea. At that hearing, Peppy pled guilty to counts 1 (conspiracy) and 2 (obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder); the third count, which carried with it a 10-year mandatory minimum, was dropped. Krystal pled guilty to count 2. 

Krystal’s plea carries 3 years of probation, but she will not serve any jail time. By statute, Peppy’s plea carries a 60-month sentence. On January 6th, 2025, at a sentencing hearing, they were sentenced by a judge in accordance with the statute. 

In addition to jail time and probation, they were also 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 alleged financial damages.