Nazi flag-bearing Chesterfield man pleads guilty after ramming truck into barriers near White House

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Figure 8, showing the Defendant exiting the U-Haul with his Nazi Flag.

Ron Kampeas, JTA
Published May 13, 2024

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Sai Varshith Kandula, the Chesterfield man who last May flew from St. Louis to Washington D.C., rented a U-Haul truck, and drove it into White House security barriers while displaying a Nazi flag, pleaded guilty on Monday for damaging government property, according to court documents.

Kandula was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, threatening to kill/kidnap/inflict harm on a president, vice president, or family member, destruction of federal property, and trespassing, according to a statement by the United States Park Police. He was accused of intentionally crashing the truck into breach barriers at Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., just north of the White House.

Kandula faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich is set to determine his sentence on Aug. 23.

Figure 9, showing the Defendant with his Nazi Flag once he was ordered down by the USPP officer. (UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA )

At the time of his arrests, police did not say what Kandula’s alleged motives were. However, WUSA9, a local TV news site, posted a photo of a Nazi flag on the pavement after the event, and The Washington Post cited a federal official confirming that the flag came from the truck.

At the time, law enforcement officials told NBC News that the suspect made threatening statements about the White House as he was being detained.

In a document released by prosecutors, “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.”