Ross woman charged with involvement in Capitol riot

When the FBI was investigating a Bridgeville man for his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, they spoke to an acquaintance of his, Jennifer Heinl.

During that Jan. 28 conversation, Heinl, of Ross, said she had gone to Washington, D.C., the day before the attack, but that she hadn’t participated and had not entered the Capitol building, investigators said.

Instead, she said she’d not been in touch with the Bridgeville man — Kenneth Grayson — although she had seen him at a rally at a park near the White House on Jan. 6, according to investigators.

But in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court on Thursday charging Heinl with four counts, the FBI said she had been communicating with Grayson from Nov. 12 to Jan. 11. Agents said they discussed travel arrangements to D.C., including a rental car and hotel.

Heinl was taken into custody Thursday morning and had an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Pupo Lenihan Thursday afternoon.

Heinl was given a $10,000 unsecured bond and was to be released. Lenihan instructed her to surrender her passport and told the woman she could not travel outside of the Western District of Pennsylvania, and could not go to D.C., unless it was related to her case.

In addition, Lenihan ordered Heinl to relinquish any weapons. The judge noted that the defendant’s husband is a law enforcement officer. As part of bond conditions, he must keep his gun out of their home, Lenihan said.

She did not say where he works.

Agents said they found photos of Heinl on Grayson’s iPad, as well as several images taken of her inside the Crypt of the Capitol.

In the images, the FBI said Heinl is wearing a distinctive red, long-sleeve jersey with “Trump 20” written on the back, as well as a black hat with white lettering.

Video footage from security cameras and police body cameras show Heinl inside the Rotunda and other restricted areas, as well, the FBI said. In some images, the FBI said Heinl can be seen standing with Grayson in the Rotunda.

Heinl is charged with entering a restricted building; disorderly conduct in a restricted building; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and parading or demonstrating in a Capitol building.

After his arrest, Grayson told FBI agents he had no regrets for entering the Capitol and that he’d do it again.

He was released on bond. He faces five counts.