A man suspected of assaulting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband in their San Francisco home last month pleaded not guilty on Tuesday morning to federal charges in the attack, local outlets first reported.
Prosecutors said that once DePape was restrained by law enforcement, officers found he had a roll of tape, rope, a second hammer, rubber gloves and zip ties. According to a federal complaint, the suspect was looking for the House speaker so he could question her about the “truth” and break her kneecaps so “she would then have to be wheeled into Congress” as a warning to other lawmakers.
The federal charge of assaulting a family member of a U.S. official carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The second charge of attempted kidnapping of a U.S. official carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. DePape already faces 13 years to life in prison if convicted on state charges, according to San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.
DePape’s next appearance in federal court is scheduled for Nov. 30.
