WASHINGTON — According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's office an Ohio woman pleaded guilty to a felony charge from the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 2021.

Christine Priola, 50, is a resident of Willoughby, Ohio about 20 minutes east of Cleveland.

What You Need To Know

  • Christine Priola, 50, was arrested for her actions on Jan. 6 2021 during the breach of the U.S. Capitol

  • She carried a large sign onto the grounds and into the Senate chamber

  • During the riots she was employed by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, she resigned on Jan. 7, 2021

  • Priola will be sentenced on Oct. 28, 2022

According to court documents, Priola carried a large sign expressing her views onto the U.S. Capitol grounds before illegally entering the restricted area on the east side of the Capitol Building. 

She joined the front lines of the riot, climbed the steps and entered the Capitol Building through the east rotunda doors according to the release. Priola went inside soon after rioters overcame law enforcement officers guarding the entrance and made her way to the Senate chamber before entering the restricted floor area. 

Priola carried her sign into the chamber and remained in it for about 10 minutes. Overall, she was inside the Capitol Building for approximately 30 minutes.

Between Jan. 6 and Jan. 12 2021, Priola deleted cellphone data for pictures, videos, chats and messages from approximately Jan. 4 through Jan. 7 2021. During the riots she was employed by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, which she resigned from in a letter dated Jan. 7, 2021.

Priola was arrested on Jan. 14 2021 in Ohio and will be sentenced on Oct. 28, 2022. Priola faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and possible financial penalties. The sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Justice Department’s National Security Division are prosecuting the case with help from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio.

FBI Cleveland Field Office investigated the case alongside the U.S. Marshals Service for the Northern District of Ohio, the FBI’s Washington Field Office, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Since Jan. 6 2021, over 850 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including over 260 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing and tips can be shared by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

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