Pittsburgh Man Sentenced for Obstructing Pittsburgh Police during May 30, 2020 Pittsburgh Protest

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was sentenced in federal court on a charge of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

Raekwon Blankenship, 25, was sentenced to time served of five months followed by three years of supervised release by United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

The court was previously advised that on May 30, 2020, Blankenship did knowingly and willfully throw projectiles at several vehicles occupied by police officers, causing the obstruction, impediment and interference of law enforcement officers engaged in the lawful performance of their official duties. Blankenship also attempted to poke a police horse during the civil disorder.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation.