Bridgeville man pleads guilty for actions in Capitol riot

A Bridgeville man who livestreamed his actions during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol pleaded guilty Tuesday to a felony charge of interfering with a law enforcement officer during a civil disorder.

Kenneth Grayson, 53, pleaded guilty to this charge in a Washington D.C. court.

According to court documents, Grayson attended a rally just outside the White House on Jan. 6, 2021, then walked towards the U.S. Capitol, where he illegally entered the Capitol grounds. He eventually entered the Capitol building through the Senate Wing doors around 2:20 p.m. When in the Rotunda area of the building, Grayson joined a mob of rioters who began pushing against officers to gain access to an adjoining hall.

While in the Capitol, Grayson livestreamed his activity on his Facebook account, and he exited the Capitol around 3:07 p.m.

He was arrested on Jan. 26, 2021 in Bridgeville. The Tribune-Review previously reported that Grayson’s attorney said he was expected to reach a plea agreement to only misdemeanor charges, but he ended up pleading to a felony charge.

Grayson was originally charged with five counts, including obstruction of an official proceeding; entering a restricted building; disorderly conduct in a restricted building; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 19. Grayson faces a maximum of five years in prison and potential financial penalties, according to the Department of Justice. Grayson was initially detained, but was granted bond on Feb. 10 and has remained free since then.

The Department of Justice said that in the 20 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 870 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, and more than 265 people have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. More than a dozen people charged have been from Western Pennsylvania.