David DePape, a 44-year-old resident of Richmond, California, was sentenced to 360 months in prison and five years of supervised release today. This sentence follows his conviction on charges of assault and attempted kidnapping related to an incident that occurred on October 28, 2022. On this date, DePape trespassed into the home of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul Pelosi.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland expressed his stance on the matter by stating, “This sentence is a warning: violence against those who serve the public and their families will not be tolerated.” He further emphasized that the Justice Department would vigorously prosecute those who resort to violence against public servants and their families.
U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of California also commented on DePape's sentencing. He said, “David DePape, when he planned his attempted kidnapping, claimed he intended to punish the Speaker Emerita and teach Congress as a whole a lesson.” He thanked the FBI, San Francisco Police Department, U.S. Capitol Police, and his prosecution team for their efforts in swiftly concluding this case.
Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp of the FBI San Francisco Field Office highlighted that DePape's sentencing sends a clear message against violence and intimidation in political discourse.
The trial revealed that DePape had targeted Nancy Pelosi weeks before the attack. Evidence demonstrated that he collected personal information about her with an intention to kidnap her. On the night of the assault, DePape used public transportation to travel from East Bay to San Francisco carrying various items including a hammer and restraints.
DePape was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 9, 2022. The charges included one count of assault upon an immediate family member of a U.S. official with intent to impede or intimidate them while performing official duties or retaliate against them due to their official duties, and one count of attempted kidnapping of a U.S. official. DePape was convicted on both charges.
The case is currently under investigation by the FBI San Francisco Field Office, U.S. Capitol Police, and San Francisco Police Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California’s National Security and Cyber Section is prosecuting the case.