Man who wanted to seize power struck White House barrier with truck, law enforcement says
The driver of a rented box truck that collided with a security barrier near the White House on Monday who told law enforcement that he wanted to seize power of the government and kill the president is not being charged with threatening to kill, kidnap or inflict harm on a president, vice president or their families.
Sai Varshith Kandula, 19, of Chesterfield, Missouri, is being held without bond and appeared in federal court Wednesday. Prosecutors declined to pursue four of the charges -- including the count of threatening to kill, kidnap or inflict harm on a president, vice president or their families -- leaving him to face only a count of depredation of property of the United States in excess of $1,000. The other three dropped charges were assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle and trespassing. All four of those charges could come back when he is formally indicted, but he was not charged with them on Wednesday.
He faces up to 10 years in prison, according to information revealed at Wednesday's hearing. He did not issue a plea.
The DOJ confirmed to ABC News that Kandula has a green card and is a legal resident, but he is not a U.S. citizen.
The federal prosecutor asked the court to hold Kandula because he tried to influence the government, because it was a violent crime and because Kandula "poses a serious risk that he would flee."
The FBI interviewed suspect Kandula on Tuesday and told law enforcement that he wanted to seize power, take over the government and kill the president, according to three law enforcement sources. Sources tell ABC News that authorities are looking at a mental health component to the investigation.
The U-Haul truck crashed at about 10 p.m. on the north side of Lafayette Square near the White House, officials said.
Kandula was charged with five counts, including assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, trespassing and destruction of federal property, U.S. Park Police said. He was also charged with threatening to kill, kidnap or inflict harm on a president, vice president or their families, police said.
Kandula allegedly traveled from St. Louis to Dulles International Airport where he rented a U-Haul truck and drove to the White House, law enforcement sources told ABC News. After ramming the bollard, Kandula exited the vehicle and began waving a flag with what authorities say appeared to be a swastika on it, and that is when officers from the U.S. Park Police detained him.
There were no injuries to any Secret Service or White House personnel, Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesperson for the Secret Service, said in a statement.
A "preliminary investigation reveals the driver may have intentionally struck" the barrier, he said.
The truck was cleared for potential explosives, a law enforcement official said.
Park Police confirmed to ABC News that the investigation is still ongoing.
