A 29-year-old man, Ephraim Hunter, who was accused of breaking into Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’ home earlier this year, pleaded no contest to felony vandalism on Wednesday and will avoid prison time, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.
Hunter faced charges of burglary and vandalism related to the April incident, during which the mayor and her family were present in the home. Hunter allegedly entered the residence by smashing a rear glass door, causing damage estimated between $5,000 and $10,000. The district attorney’s office reported that Hunter cut his hand during the break-in, leaving “blood stains throughout the house.” Fortunately, no one in the mayor’s family was harmed.
As part of a plea agreement, Hunter was sentenced to two years of probation. He must stay away from the mayor’s work and home addresses, as well as from the mayor’s family members, for three years. Additionally, he was ordered to pay more than $15,700 in restitution and to participate in a drug abuse and mental health treatment program for several months, after which he will live in a halfway house.
Hunter’s attorney, Howard Stern, stated, “Mr. Hunter is pleased with the resolution. He is looking forward to working hard in recovery, turning his life around, and becoming a success story.” Hunter later disclosed to a local radio station that he was on a drug binge at the time of the break-in and was not specifically targeting Mayor Bass.
Mayor Bass, who was traveling to Paris with First Lady Jill Biden for the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, did not comment on the plea agreement, according to CNN per her communications office.
This is not the first time an intruder broke into the home of a politician. On October 28, 2022, Canadian far-right conspiracy theorist David DePape assaulted Paul Pelosi, the husband of Nancy Pelosi, who was serving as the 52nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives at the time. DePape attacked Mr. Pelosi with a hammer during a home invasion at the couple’s Pacific Heights residence in San Francisco, causing serious injuries. Mr. Pelosi required surgery for a fractured skull following the incident.
