Prosecutors are seeking 40 years in prison for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi’s husband

Federal prosecutors are seeking a 40-year prison sentence for the man convicted of attacking Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, according to a court filing Friday.

“The violent lessons the defendant sought to teach are unacceptable in this country, and the sentence this court imposes must reflect the nature and circumstances of the crime,” U.S. attorneys said in the filing.

Government lawyers said they wanted defendant David DePape to serve a longer sentence than that recommended by the U.S. Parole Board, which recommends 25 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

In the 20-page court filing, prosecutors wrote that while they “substantially” agreed with the parole board’s guidelines, a felony enhancement should be used to extend the sentence.

“The defendant intended to further a federal crime of terrorism, and therefore the terrorism extension should apply here,” they wrote.

DePape was convicted in November of attempted kidnapping of a federal officer and assaulting an immediate family member of an elected official.

His sentencing is scheduled for May 17.

Prosecutors stressed Friday that a 40-year prison sentence was needed to deter others from committing similar crimes.

“At a time when extremism has led to attacks on public and elected officials, this case is an opportunity to speak with others who harbor ideologically motivated violent dreams and plans,” the filing says. “This case has strong deterrent value in saying that violent ideological attacks will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

DePape’s attorney could not be reached for comment Friday evening, and Pelosi’s congressional office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

DePape broke into the Pelosis’ California home in October 2022 and attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer. Pelosi testified that he woke up in a pool of his own blood. He suffered a fractured skull.

DePape had been looking for then-House Speaker Pelosi and asking, “Where’s Nancy?” according to court documents. DePape also said he would have broken her kneecaps if she had lied, according to the records.

During the trial, DePape’s defense did not argue that he did not break into the Pelosi home and attack Paul Pelosi. Rather, his defense tried to argue that DePape had no intention of kidnapping anyone and that his actions had nothing to do with the government role of Rep. Pelosi, D-Calif.

DePape also faces state charges including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He has pleaded not guilty.

The number of threat assessment cases handled by the U.S. Capitol Police rose to 8,008 last year, compared to 7,501 in 2022. The cases involve direct threats against and statements made about members of Congress.

In 2023, Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., was attacked in the elevator of her apartment in Washington, D.C. Members of Congress and other high-ranking politicians have also been victims of swatting incidents, in which fake emergency calls lured police to their homes.