Charges have been brought against the alleged perpetrator after the attack on the husband of US top politician Nancy Pelosi. The 42-year-old is accused of assaulting a family member of a US official and attempting to kidnap an official. He could face several decades in prison if convicted, the US Department of Justice announced on Monday.
On Friday night, the man broke into the couple’s home in San Francisco and was looking for the chair of the House of Representatives. The 82-year-old Democrat was not at home at the time. When police arrived, the attacker hit her husband, Paul Pelosi, who is the same age, with a hammer, seriously injuring him.
According to the indictment, police recovered a roll of duct tape, a piece of rope, a second hammer, a pair of rubber and cloth gloves, and zip ties at the scene.
Attempted kidnapping of a public official is punishable under federal law in the United States with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Assaulting an immediate family member with intent to retaliate is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Nancy Pelosi is number three in the US political hierarchy after President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The Democrat is guarded by bodyguards around the clock – so far no protection has been provided for families of members of Congress.
U.S. Department of Justice Notice Indictment
