Man who rammed gate near White House gets 8 years in prison

Defendant’s Fascination with Nazi Ideology Inspired Attack

A Missouri man, Sai Varshith Kandula, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for an attack on the White House, which was inspired by his fascination with Nazi ideology. The incident occurred on May 22, 2023, when Kandula, then 19, crashed a rental truck into barriers protecting the White House.

Incident Details

Kandula steered the U-Haul box truck onto a sidewalk and towards metal bollards that prevent vehicles from entering Lafayette Square, which is located north of the White House. Two people were standing next to a park bench at the time and nearly came into contact with the vehicle. Kandula retrieved a Nazi flag from a backpack after the crash, which did not result in any injuries.

Prosecutors’ Claims

Prosecutors claimed that Kandula wanted to "attack and destroy" the U.S. government and replace it with a Nazi-style dictatorship. They also stated that he wanted to "eliminate the democratic process in America" and establish a fascist regime.

Defense Attorney’s Argument

Defense attorney Scott Rosenblum argued that Kandula was suffering from schizophrenia and was overwhelmed by delusional thoughts, including his belief that "a reptilian race had installed a puppet regime to operate the U.S." Rosenblum stated that Kandula was amenable to treatment, understood its necessity, and recognized that his illness had produced the acts that led to his current circumstances.

Sentence and Conditions

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich sentenced Kandula to eight years in prison, three years of supervised release after his prison term, and ordered him to pay nearly $57,000 in restitution. Kandula has remained in custody since his arrest.

Additional Facts

Kandula planned the attack for weeks before taking a flight from St. Louis to Washington, D.C. He rented the truck in Herndon, Virginia, approximately three hours before the crash. After the incident, authorities did not find any weapons, ammunition, or explosives in his possession.

Conclusion

Kandula’s attack on the White House was a serious and disturbing incident that highlights the potential for extremist ideologies to inspire violent acts. The sentence handed down by Judge Friedrich reflects the severity of the offense and serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing mental health issues and the need for effective treatment.

FAQs

• What was the motivation behind Kandula’s attack?
  Kandula’s attack was motivated by his fascination with Nazi ideology and his desire to "attack and destroy" the U.S. government.
• What were the charges against Kandula?
  Kandula pleaded guilty to a property damage charge.
• What was the sentence handed down by the court?
  Kandula was sentenced to eight years in prison, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay nearly $57,000 in restitution.
• What was Kandula’s mental health diagnosis?
  Kandula was diagnosed with schizophrenia by two psychologists, who believed that his illness led directly to his offense.