Rep. Angie Craig, Democrat of Minnesota, has requested a federal judge to impose punishment that holds accountable the man who confesses to assaulting her in the elevator of her Washington, D.C., apartment complex in February.
Kendrid Hamlin, an individual with a lengthy record of previous arrests, has been charged with punching, trapping, and injuring Craig. His sentencing is scheduled for Thursday.
In a victim-impact statement submitted prior to the hearing, Craig recounts that the assault had a lasting impact on her family. She expresses that her family members continue to be concerned for her safety.
"He forcefully grabbed my neck and slammed me into the steel wall," Craig wrote. "He punched me in the face." She also reveals that she has been subjected to death threats and doxing since the media attention surrounding the assault, and she states that her mental and emotional recovery is still ongoing.
Federal prosecutors will urge D.C. District Chief Judge James Boasberg to sentence Hamlin to 39 months in prison for the assault.
Justice Department to Argue Lengthy Criminal History in Assault Case
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In a sentencing memo submitted to Judge Boasberg, the Justice Department highlighted the extensive criminal history of the defendant, Hamlin, who pleaded guilty in June to charges of assault. They emphasized that Hamlin's actions have shown a repeated pattern of violent behavior, with at least nine prior arrests for violent or threatening conduct.
The assault on Craig, which took place in her apartment building elevator, was part of a series of violent attacks against congressional aides, family members, and lawmakers in the past year. Another recent case involved a Virginia man charged with assaulting two staff members of Rep. Gerry Connolly. David DePape is also currently on trial for an assault against Paul Pelosi, husband of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, in their home.
Prosecutors will argue that the assault on Craig caused lasting emotional damage, transforming a simple morning routine into a traumatic ordeal. They will also highlight the defendant's unwillingness to abide by conditions of release, justifying the need for a significant sentence to incarceration.
Congresswoman Alleges Assault by Fellow Lawmaker
In a recent interview with CBS News, Congresswoman Craig shared her harrowing experience of being assaulted by a fellow lawmaker, Hamlin. According to Craig, the incident took place in an elevator where Hamlin followed her, trapped her, and demanded entry into her apartment. She described Hamlin's behavior as erratic, suggesting that he may have been under the influence of an unknown substance.
Craig recounted that she threw her coffee over her shoulder in an attempt to startle Hamlin, but he quickly regained his composure and approached her again. It was only when they reached the floor the elevator was heading to that she was able to escape.
This incident marks the 13th assault on Hamlin's record, according to Craig. Determined to prevent further incidents, she vowed to do everything in her power to ensure that there will not be a 14th, 15th, or 20th assault.
