Man pleads guilty after crashing U-Haul truck near White House

A Missouri man pleaded guilty Monday after crashing a U-Haul truck into metal barriers near the White House last year in connection with what he said was an attempt to overthrow the government.

Sai Varshith Kandula, of Chesterfield, Missouri, pleaded guilty to willful injury to or depredation of U.S. property, according to court documents.

In a plea agreement, prosecutors said the offense, which was “intended to further a federal crime of terrorism,” could extend the maximum 10-year prison term for the violation to about 12 to 15 years behind bars, but they agreed to Do not look for more than eight years.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 23.

Kandula’s lawyers, who have raised concerns about his mental health, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday night.

Kandula acknowledged in the plea agreement that because he is not a U.S. citizen, his guilty plea and conviction mean he is likely to be deported when he finishes serving his sentence. The defense documents did not specify his country of origin; Prosecutors previously warned that Kandula posed a flight risk because he had visited India several times.

He has remained in prison since his arrest last May.

According to court documents, Kandula, then 19, drove a U-Haul truck onto the sidewalk on May 22, 2023 and twice crashed into metal barriers meant to prevent vehicles from entering Lafayette Square, north of the grounds of the White House. He then went to the back of the truck and took a 3-by-5-foot flag with a swastika out of a backpack before officers detained him.

Speaking to agents after the incident, Kandula “stated that his goal was to ‘get into the White House, take power and be put in charge of the nation.’”

Kandula also “stated that he ‘would kill the president if that’s what I had to do and hurt anyone who got in my way'” and allegedly said he purchased the swastika flag online because Nazis “have a great history.”

In the plea agreement, Kandula also agreed to pay restitution costs of $52,405 for the value of the U-Haul truck, which was “damaged beyond repair,” and associated towing costs. Damage to the metal barriers amounted to $4,322 for the National Park Service.