A California man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his violent actions during the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. The man, identified as David Nicholas Dempsey, was described by prosecutors as one of the most violent members of the mob of Donald Trump supporters that stormed the Capitol.
Dempsey's violent acts included stomping on police officers' heads, swinging poles at officers, striking an officer with a metal crutch, and using pepper spray and broken furniture as weapons against law enforcement. He even climbed atop other rioters to reach officers guarding a tunnel entrance, causing injuries to at least two police officers.
During his sentencing, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth condemned Dempsey's actions as exceptionally egregious, stating that he did not simply get carried away in the moment. Dempsey had pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting police officers with a dangerous weapon.
Prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of over 21 years for Dempsey, highlighting his extreme violence, including an incident where he attacked a fellow rioter who tried to disarm him. Defense attorney Amy Collins argued for a shorter sentence, emphasizing Dempsey's personal growth and character.
Dempsey expressed remorse for his actions, calling them reprehensible, and apologized to the police officers he assaulted. His criminal record in California includes convictions for burglary, theft, and assault, with previous incidents of political violence that did not result in criminal charges.
More than 1,400 individuals have been charged with federal crimes related to the January 6 attack, with over 900 convicted and sentenced. Dempsey's 20-year sentence is among the longest handed down in connection with the Capitol riot.
