David DePape, the man who allegedly attacked Paul Pelosi, husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has been charged Monday with assault and attempted kidnapping, the Justice Department said.
DePape, 42, has been charged with attempted kidnapping after assuring police he planned to «hold hostage» the speaker, who was not at home at the time, a charge for which he could face up to 20 years in prison.
As for the other charge against him, assault, the maximum penalty is 30 years in prison because he is an immediate family member of a U.S. public official, according to CNN.
In addition to the federal charges, there are also state charges. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jekins said these include «attempted murder, residential burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, false imprisonment of an elderly person, and threatening a public official and his family.
DePape faces a sentence ranging from 13 years in prison to life in prison. He is expected to appear in state court for his arraignment on Tuesday, according to the U.S. network.
In addition, the San Francisco prosecutor said that «based on his statements and comments made during his meeting with Mr. Pelosi,» it appears that the event was politically motivated.
The U.S. Police recovered flanges in Pelosi’s bedroom and in the hallway near the front door of the house. In DePape’s backpack they also found, among other items, a roll of duct tape, a white rope, a hammer, a pair of rubber gloves, cloth and a diary.
The suspect also relayed to investigators that «by breaking Nancy’s kneecaps, she would have to be wheeled to Congress, which would show other members of Congress that their actions have consequences,» NBC News has learned.
Paul Pelosi, 82, underwent «successful» surgery to repair a skull fracture and serious injuries to his right arm and hands after the assailant, hammer in hand, asked him where his wife was and assaulted him.
Pelosi managed to call the emergency services, who overheard a conversation in the background, after which the Police were dispatched to check what was happening. All this without the attacker having any evidence that there was an open line.
