CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Willoughby woman convicted for her role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol has been released early from prison, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Christine Priola, 52, was released from custody on Sept. 5 after serving just nine months of her 15-month sentence, a spokesperson for the FBOP confirmed Thursday.
Prior to Priola’s release, she was under community confinement overseen by the FBOP’s Cincinnati Residential Reentry Management Office.
Priola pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding in July 2022 and was sentenced on Oct. 28, 2022.
In addition to the 15 month prison sentence, she was also ordered to serve one year of supervised release and pay $2,000 in restitution.
Priola was allowed to voluntarily surrender to medium-security prison in West Virginia on Nov. 29, 2022, according to the FBOP.
Before her sentencing, Priola wrote a letter to U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Tanya Chutkan.
“I caused fear in the people who were in and around the building that day and caused fear for their families as well,” the former Cleveland Metropolitan School District employee wrote.
Priola used the 10-page letter as an opportunity to explain how she felt she reformed since the day of the crime. She also detailed how her family has been negatively affected by her actions on Jan. 6, 2021.
Read the letter below:
Priola was among the individuals seen in photos taken from inside the U.S. Capitol Senate chambers after trespassers interrupted a joint Congressional session, the FBI and police in Washington, D.C. said. She could be seen holding a sign that said “The Children Cry Out for Justice” while pointing a cell phone at another individual seated at the vice president’s chair.
At the time of the riots, Priola was employed by CMSD as an occupational therapist. She resigned from her position the day after the riots.
19 News has reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for comment.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
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