Shaler man apologizes, ordered to halfway house for vandalizing police car during riot

A Shaler man who pleaded guilty to vandalizing a Pittsburgh police car during protests May 30 over the death of George Floyd will serve six months in a halfway house.

Senior U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab ordered Brian Bartels to spend one day in the custody of the U.S. marshals before being moved to a residential reentry program.

Bartels, 21, was sentenced on Wednesday for one count of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. He pleaded guilty in September.

In addition to the six-month program, Bartels must serve three years of supervised release and pay restitution of $1,000 as agreed to by the prosecution.

The recommended advisory guideline range was zero to six months incarceration.

During the hearing, Bartels apologized for his actions, saying that at the time, he felt hopeless, angry and frustrated.

“I understand why I’m here. I know people have been hurt because of me. I know people lost money because of me,” he said. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I made a stupid mistake, and people had to pay for it.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaun Sweeney told the court that Bartels went to the protest that day prepared to damage or destroy property by taking a can of spray paint in his backpack with him.

“He made that decision before he left his house,” Sweeney said. “He chose to be the instigator for this chaos.”

Sweeney noted that the officer whose car was destroyed chose to back away as the attack happened.

“They were there to protect and maintain peace and safety for everyone there.”

In handing down his sentence, Schwab acknowledged the potential threat to law enforcement and noted that Bartels initiated kicking and stomping the windshield of the police vehicle.

“The defendant’s conduct is serious criminal conduct,” Schwab said. “It was not a mistake. It was a crime.”

During the hearing, Bartels’ father, Jordan, told the judge that a 30-second video does not encapsulate who his son is.

Instead, he said that his son is a caring person who teaches music to young people. He is in therapy and goes to group recovery sessions. There, his dad said, he helps facilitate sessions and serves as a peer mentor for others.

“Brian is on the right track,” he said. “That rehabilitation has already begun.”

Jordan Bartels told the court that his son already spent a couple days in the Allegheny County Jail when he was initially arrested.

“Judge Schwab, your honor, this is a plea for mercy from a father,” he said. “I love my son very much. I know what he did was wrong.”

Jordan Bartels told Schwab that his son’s hands were meant to play music and help others, and not defend himself from others in jail.

“I implore you to not incarcerate my son. That’s not the best course of action.”

Since his arrest, Brian Bartels told the court that he plans to change his major heading into a four-year college from music education to psychology and political science.

He said he looks forward to a future where he can be productive in a “mature, healthy and legal way.”

“I’m still learning. I’m still trying to do better every day,” he said.