CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
A Willoughby resident and former employee of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District has pled guilty to a charge relating to her role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
According to a release, 50-year-old Christine Priola pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding. According to court documents, Priola was spotted making her way to the U.S. Capitol grounds while carrying a large sign expressing her views before illegally entering the restricted area on the east side of the Capitol Building.
After joining the front line of the riot in support of former President Donald Trump, Priola is alleged to have climbed the steps before entering the Capitol Building through the East Rotunda Doors. Shortly after the first rioters overcame law enforcement officers guarding the entrance, she went inside and moved to the Senate chamber and entered the restricted floor area.
Inside the chamber, she carried the same sign she was spotted carrying outside. She was in the Senate chamber for about 10 minutes and inside the Capitol Building for approximately 30 minutes.
Priola is also alleged to have deleted her data for photos, videos, chats, and messages from her cellphone from approximately Jan. 4 through Jan. 7, 2021. She was employed by CMSD as an occupational therapist at the time of the riot before resigning on Jan. 7, 2021.
She was arrested one week later.
Priola is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 28, 2022, and faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison and potential financial penalties. A federal district court judge will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors before making a determination.