Antifa terror couple who bombed Michael Knowles event at University of Pittsburgh sentenced to 5 years in prison

Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan sentenced Brian "Peppy" DiPippa on Monday to five years in prison. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy and obstruction of law enforcement. His charge of using an explosive to commit a federal felony was dismissed as part of a plea agreement. Krystal DiPippa pleaded guilty to obstruction of law enforcement and received a sentence of three years of probation, including 80 hours of community service. The conspiracy charge against her was dropped as part of a sweetheart plea deal, court filings show.

The DiPippas, who belong to a violent Antifa terrorist cell, were also ordered to jointly pay the University of Pittsburgh $1,400 in restitution and $47,284 to a University of Pittsburgh police officer for financial damages resulting from injuries sustained by the couple's actions.

According to court documents, Brian ignited and dropped two homemade incendiary smoke devices in and around a crowd of people waiting to enter a building for a scheduled event hosted by Pitt College Republicans on April 18, 2023. The Daily Wire's Michael Knowles was giving a speech on "Womanhood and Transgenderism." When university police officers gathered to form a barrier to prevent unruly demonstrators from approaching the back of the building, Brian, concealed by Krystal, ignited and hurled a large explosive firework into the group of police officers, generating a loud explosion and causing injuries to several officers.

A female police sergeant who was injured in the attack told the judge during sentencing: "Brian DiPippa is a homegrown terrorist who had every intention of hurting someone that day." The officer, identified in Court as T.H., had to undergo back surgery due to injuries. Additionally, the explosion caused her to sustain hearing loss and numerous burns to her legs.

An explosive launched by Brian DiPippa injured several police officers outside of the O'Hara Student Center. Courtesy: Search Warrant Affidavit

Black-clad Antifa militants and left-wing protesters gathered to violently shut down the event. Courtesy: Search Warrant Affidavit

On April 3, 2023, university police received a tip that a group of anarchist extremists planned to target the April 18 event using severe acts of violence. The complainant advised that the anarchist extremist group held meetings on Thursdays at the Big Idea Bookstore on Liberty Avenue in Pittsburgh. During one of these meetings, an individual referred to as "Des" distributed Anarchist "zines," or small booklets, to participants, which provided instructions on how to make Molotov cocktails and incendiary devices for arson, according to a search warrant affidavit. Anarchist bookstores operate as meeting and training spaces for Antifa, where members are taught how to maim, kill, and carry out arson attacks, as documented in journalist Andy Ngo's best-selling book "Unmasked: Inside Antifa's Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy."

The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted a surveillance operation at the bookstore on April 13, 2023, and observed Brian DiPippa in attendance. He arrived at the meeting on a red and black motorcycle. Authorities identified Brian DiPippa as the bombing suspect via photos and videos of the attack, which captured the suspect arriving on a red and black motorcycle, the same one driven by Brian, per court filings.

On April 15, 2023, the FBI obtained records of receipts that showed Brian had purchased materials used to make explosive devices from Phantom Fireworks. The FBI surveilled the DiPippa's residence, which hoisted an anarchist flag off the second story balcony, on April 26 and 27. Authorities observed Brian's red and black motorcycle at the DiPippa's residence, according to court documents.

During a warrantless search of trash outside the DiPippa's home on May 12, 2023, authorities recovered Anarchist radicalization material that included information about the Antifa-linked "Stop Cop City" terrorist movement in Atlanta, which has since resulted in the indictments of more than 60 people on RICO and/or terrorism charges. An anarchist zine written to "Des" from Brian was also recovered from the trash, authorities said.

Additionally, Brian DiPippa tested positive for the RDX explosive compound at an airport on May 9, 2023, just a few weeks after the bombing attack, according to the affidavit.

Brian has remained in federal custody since his arrest in May 2023. A judge denied him bail, citing evidence of his support for "anarchism." Assistant US Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney, who prosecuted the case, told the Court that when Brian was arrested and taken into custody, he had a clip art photo displayed on his phone that celebrated the killing of police. The artwork featured confetti and balloons along with the words "Officer Down."

The Torch Antifa Network, a collective of violent cells that include Rose City Antifa in Portland, OR, claimed the DiPippas as their members following Brian's arrest. The extremist network used a far-left nonprofit to solicit tax-deductible donations to raise funds for the DiPippas' legal fees.

A police sergeant described Brian DiPippa, left, as a "homegrown terrorist." He is smiling alongside his wife Krystal, right

Far-left demonstrators burned an effigy of Michael Knowles. Courtesy: Search Warrant Affidavit

The Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC), a far-left extremist law firm based in Oregon that has represented several Antifa members accused of serious crimes, has been a staunch supporter of the DiPippa's. The firm said the prison sentence Brian received for the premediated bombing attack was "clearly intended to chill and punish leftists in solidarity with GLBTQ2SAIA+ people." The CLDC most famously represented Portland Antifa ringleader Alissa Azar, 33, who was felony convicted last summer over a violent 2021 attack at a park in Oregon City, Oregon.

"The DiPippas conspired to injure law enforcement officers and cause chaos at a college campus protest," US Attorney Eric G. Olshan said in a press release. "They attacked brave men and women who were trying to maintain order and protect the attendees. Today's sentencings - and particularly the years of incarceration imposed on Brian DiPippa - should serve as a deterrent for anyone who would consider engaging in such outrageous and dangerous conduct in the future."

Kevin Rojek, FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge, said the FBI and its Joint Terrorism Task Force partners remain "committed to our mission of protecting the American people." He said, "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, main, or attack law enforcement officers."