Shaler man pleads guilty to starting May riot in Pittsburgh during peaceful protest
A Shaler man pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to initiating the destruction of a Pittsburgh police car during a May protest over the death of George Floyd outside PPG Paints Arena.
Brian Bartels, 20, pleaded guilty to a charge of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder before U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.
According to U.S. Attorney Scott W. Brady, Bartels initiated unlawful behavior, including spray painting the police car and smashing its windshield. Others then joined Bartels and the police car was set on fire.
“On May 30, 2020, Brian Bartels incited the largest and most destructive riot in Pittsburgh history since 1968,” Brady said in a statement. “Armed with his homemade agitator toolkit, this self-identified extreme left-wing anarchist came to the protest in Downtown Pittsburgh with one goal: to incite violence. He was the first to incite violence during the protest.”
Brady described how protesters yelled for Bartels to stop but that he ignored their pleas. He ended up jumping on the police cruiser’s windshield as others joined in. The cruiser was set on fire and destroyed.
Brady said Bartels actions were the “inflection point” in the demonstration.
“What was peaceful became lawless. Mounted Pittsburgh Police Officers were attacked. Reporters were attacked and their camera destroyed. What started as a peaceful demonstration, turned into a violent evening of destruction and looting throughout Downtown Pittsburgh.”
FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael Christman called Bartels’ actions “appalling.”
“Mr. Bartels went Downtown with the intent to incite panic and violence,” said Christman. “His poor decisions put everyone, including those exercising their First Amendment rights peacefully, in danger.”
Investigators who interviewed him said Bartels admitted to initiating the attack on the police car and expressed remorse.
Bartels was charged federally in a criminal complaint on June 5. He was indicted by a federal grand jury four days later.
Judge Schwab has scheduled sentencing for Jan. 27. Bartels faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.
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