The suspect in the attack on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband was charged Monday with assault and attempted kidnapping.
David Wayne DePape, 42, was charged with one count of assault of an immediate family member of a United States official “with the intent to retaliate against the official on account of the performance of official duties,” the Department of Justice announced.
If convicted, the assailant could face up to 30 years in prison. DePape was also charged with one count of attempted kidnapping of a United States official, presumably Nancy Pelosi. If found guilty on that charge, he could face an additional maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
A sworn affidavit released Monday detailed DePape’s plans to abduct and interrogate the Democratic speaker about grievances he had with her leadership. He intended to physically harm her if she did not cooperate, the document suggested. DePape is believed to be a conspiracy theorist. He is also a mentally ill drug addict who believed for a time that he was Jesus Christ, according to his imprisoned former girlfriend.
“DePape stated that he was going to hold Nancy hostage and talk to her. If Nancy were to tell Depape the ‘truth,’ he would let her go, and if she ‘lied,’ he was going to break her kneecaps,” the affidavit read. “DePape was prepared to detain and injure Speaker Pelosi when he entered the Pelosi residence in the early morning of October 28, 2022.”
DePape was arrested Friday inside the Pelosi home by San Francisco police. He reportedly yelled, “Where’s Nancy?” before he lurched at Paul Pelosi. When they arrived, officers found Pelosi and DePape wrestling for control of a hammer. DePape then grabbed it and started beating Pelosi with it, fracturing his skull. Officers then intervened, disarmed the attacker, and arrested him.
Pelosi was later rushed to the hospital to undergo emergency brain surgery.
Police collected a roll of tape, white rope, a second hammer, a pair of rubber and cloth gloves, and zip ties from the crime scene, according to the DOJ. Officers also observed a broken glass door to the back porch, indicating DePape smashed his way into the house.
A native of British Columbia, Canada, DePape had overstayed his visa and was in the U.S. illegally at the time of the attack, Fox News’ Bill Melugin reported.