Current:Home > ContactMissouri man who crashed U-Haul into White House security barrier pleads guilty -FinanceAcademy
Missouri man who crashed U-Haul into White House security barrier pleads guilty
View
Date:2025-04-13 21:49:46
A Missouri man has pleaded guilty to crashing a U-Haul into a White House security barrier in May 2023. Sai Kandula, 20, wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and speaking softly from the podium of a Washington, D.C., federal courtroom, acknowledged he had deliberately slammed into a security bollard in a failed attempt to seize power at the White House and install a dictatorship aligned with Nazi beliefs.
Kandula pleaded guilty to a federal charge of willful depredation of federal property and will face a recommended 8 years in prison when he's sentenced on Aug. 23. CBS News was present during Kandula's plea agreement hearing Monday, during which prosecutors and the judge referenced a possible terrorism enhancement at Kandula's sentencing. The charge has a 10-year maximum prison term and a maximum $250,000 fine.
The crime occurred at 16th and H Streets, Northwest, outside the White House last May. Kandula had a Nazi flag with him when he was arrested, according to court documents. According to the government's statement of facts, he said his goal was to "get to the White House, seize power, and be put in charge of the nation."
According to the statement of facts, "When agents asked how Kandula would seize power, he stated he would 'Kill the President if that's what I have to do and would hurt anyone that would stand in my way.'" He told investigators he had been "planning for six months."
During court proceedings Monday, Kandula said he had recently begun taking medication for schizophrenia while he's been incarcerated in pretrial detention. A psychiatric witness is expected to speak about Kandula's health during the August sentencing hearing, according to a defense attorney.
The Justice Department said the damage incurred at the White House was approximately $4,322 as a result of Kandula's crashing of the U-Haul into the barrier.
Scott MacFarlaneScott MacFarlane is a congressional correspondent. He has covered Washington for two decades, earning 20 Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards. His reporting has resulted directly in the passage of five new laws.
TwitterveryGood! (46912)
Related
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- Smithfield agrees to pay $2 million to resolve child labor allegations at Minnesota meat plant
- New York races to revive Manhattan tolls intended to fight traffic before Trump can block them
- Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Suicides in the US military increased in 2023, continuing a long-term trend
- Powell says Fed will likely cut rates cautiously given persistent inflation pressures
- Jax Taylor Breaks Silence on Brittany Cartwright Dating His Friend Amid Their Divorce
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Black, red or dead: How Omaha became a hub for black squirrel scholarship
Ranking
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Jon Gruden joins Barstool Sports three years after email scandal with NFL
- UFC 309: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight card, odds, how to watch, date
- Falling scaffolding plank narrowly misses pedestrians at Boston’s South Station
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
- Kentucky governor says investigators will determine what caused deadly Louisville factory explosion
- Two 'incredibly rare' sea serpents seen in Southern California waters months apart
Recommendation
Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
Only 8 monkeys remain free after more than a week outside a South Carolina compound
Jennifer Lopez Gets Loud in Her First Onstage Appearance Amid Ben Affleck Divorce
Man is 'not dead anymore' after long battle with IRS, which mistakenly labeled him deceased
Trump's 'stop
Watch out, Temu: Amazon Haul, Amazon's new discount store, is coming for the holidays
Surprise bids revive hope for offshore wind in Gulf of Mexico after feds cancel lease sale
Gold is suddenly not so glittery after Trump’s White House victory