SAN FRANCISCO — Federal prosecutors on Monday charged the man accused of breaking into the home of Nancy Pelosi with attempted kidnapping and assault in the attack of her husband, Paul, and said he planned to hold the House Speaker hostage and "break her kneecaps" if she "lied" under his questioning, authorities said.
David DePape, 42, of Richmond, is accused of breaking into the Pelosi home in the Pacific Heights neighborhood armed with zip ties, rope, tape and two hammers early Friday morning, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds of the Northern District of California.
Paul Pelosi remained hospitalized Monday while recovering. The attack happened in the 2600 block of Broadway about 2:25 a.m. on Oct. 28.
DePape is charged with one count of assault on an immediate family member of a U.S. official with the intent to retaliate against the official because of the performance of official duties, authorities said. That charge carries a maximum 30-year prison sentence. The attempted kidnapping charge carries a maximum 20-year sentence.
In a federal criminal complaint, prosecutors said Paul Pelosi called 911 himself, and that two San Francisco police officers encountered Pelosi and DePape struggling over a hammer when they arrived. Officers told the men to drop the hammer and when Pelosi released it, DePape swung it and hit Pelosi in the head, appearing to knock him unconscious, the complaint said.
Officers recovered zip ties in Pelosi's bedroom and in the hallway near the front door. They also found a second hammer, a roll of tape, white rope, a pair of rubber and cloth gloves and a journal in DePape's backpack that they found at the residence, according to the complaint.
Pelosi talked to a police officer while in the ambulance and said he'd never seen DePape before, according to the complaint. He told officers DePape came into his bedroom and wanted to talk to "Nancy." The complaint said when Pelosi told DePape that Speaker Pelosi wasn't there, DePape re-iterated he would wait. Pelosi then went to a bathroom and called 911, the complaint said.
During an interview with San Francisco police, DePape said he planned to hold Speaker Pelosi hostage and would let her go if she told him the "truth," according to a court affidavit. If Pelosi lied, he was going to "break her kneecaps" so she would "then have to be wheeled into Congress, which would show other members of Congress there were consequences to actions," according to court records.
Law enforcement officials on Saturday searched a garage on Shasta Street in Richmond, where authorities say DePape had been living and seized more hammers, a sword, and gloves.
The San Francisco District Attorney's Office early Monday said it was planning to announce state charges against DePape.
Please check back for updates.
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