Sources say a Pennsylvania police detective has filed for divorce from his wife after she was seen in videos taking part in the US Capitol riot with another man.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Michael Heinl, a 30-year veteran of the Shaler Township Police Department, filed the papers in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas last month after he begged his partner, Jennifer Marie Heinl, not to fly to the nation’s capital on Jan. 6 — but she did anyway.
His wife has now been charged with violent entry and disorderly behavior on Capitol grounds, as well as parading, protesting, or picketing in a Capitol building.
Kenneth Grayson, who is seen in videos talking to Jennifer inside the Rotunda, was used by the FBI to identify her.
On January 26, Grayson was apprehended in Pennsylvania and charged with insurgency.
According to the Post-Gazette, a search of his Facebook profile showed correspondence between the two of them from Nov. 12, 2020, to Jan. 11, 2021. The newspaper said their conversations revolved around going to DC and renting cars and hotel rooms.
Michael, a member of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Task Force in Pittsburgh, told the chief that his wife had been present during the riots.
Frank explained, “His wife was a part of that situation,” adding that “He didn’t condone it. He didn’t ask her to go there. He wasn’t there. He was here working.”
He speculated that the detective was probably unaware that his wife had entered the Capitol. Frank said, “She’s an adult, and I don’t think he had had any part in her going there.”
According to an affidavit quoted by the Post-Gazette, Jennifer told the feds that she flew alone to the capital on Jan. 5 and returned the next day to Pittsburgh.
She admitted to the FBI that she had stayed in a “Courtyard” hotel but that it was not the same one as Grayson.
She acknowledged seeing Grayson at the rally but denied going to the Capitol that day.
Marty Dietz, her attorney, said, “To make it clear, I’ve known Jennie Heinl a long time, and she’s not a criminal. She’s deeply embarrassed.”
