Federal prosecutors are seeking 40 years in prison Paul was found guilty of assaulting Pelosihusband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to a lawsuit filed Friday.
“The violent lessons the defendant seeks to teach are impermissible in this country, and this Court’s sentence must reflect the nature and circumstances of the crime,” U.S. attorneys said in the filing.
Government lawyers said they wanted to defendant David DePape A sentence longer than the one recommended by the US Probation Office to 25 years in prison followed by supervised release.
Into 20 page court filingprosecutors wrote that while they agreed “in substantial part” with the Probation Office’s guidelines, the fight against terrorism must be strengthened to extend the sentence.
“The defendant intended to promote the federal crime of terrorism, and therefore the terrorism enhancement should apply here,” they said.
It was DePape found guilty in November, an attempted kidnapping of a federal official and an assault on an elected official’s immediate family member.
His sentencing is scheduled for May 17.
Prosecutors on Friday stressed that the 40-year sentence was necessary to deter others from attempting similar crimes.
“At a time when extremism has led to attacks on the public and elected officials, this case presents a moment to speak to others who harbor ideologically motivated violent desires and agendas,” the filing said. “This case provides a strong deterrent to saying that violent ideological attacks will be punished under the law.”
DePape’s attorney could not be reached for comment Friday night, and Pelosi’s congressional office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
DePape entered In October 2022, he attacked the Pelosi’s home in California and Paul Pelosi with a hammer. Pelosi testified that he woke up in a pool of his own blood. He had a fractured skull.
DePape was looking for House Speaker Pelosi at the time and asked, “Where’s Nancy?” according to court records. DePape also said he would break his kneecaps if he lied notes.
During the trial, DePape defended did not argue he didn’t go into Pelosi’s house and hit Paul Pelosi. Instead, his defense tried to argue that DePape had no intention of kidnapping anyone and that his actions were unrelated to Rep. Pelosi, D-Calif.’s government role.
DePape also faces state fees, including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He pleaded not guilty.
The number of the hazard evaluation The number of cases handled by the US Congressional Police rose to 8,008 last year, compared to 7,501 in 2022. These cases involve direct threats against and statements made about members of Congress.
In 2023, it was Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn attacked Members of Congress and other high-profile politicians have also been victims of crime in the elevator of their Washington apartment. flutter incidents of fake emergency calls drawing police to homes.