A California man convicted of carrying out some of the most extended and brutal assaults against police during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday.
The 20-year prison term for David Dempsey, handed down by senior D.C. District Judge Royce Lamberth, marks the second longest sentence yet for a defendant convicted in connection with the Capitol assault.
With several of Dempsey’s victims from the Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police in attendance in the courtroom during the trial, prosecutors played multiple videos showing Dempsey at one of the most violent exchanges of the riot near the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol — repeatedly striking, kicking, and throwing object after object at the police line trying to prevent the pro-Trump mob from swarming into the building.
In one video clip, Dempsey repeatedly swung a stolen metal crutch down onto an officer’s helmet, cracking the face shield.
One officer who Dempsey struck testified that he believed he was going to die and that his thoughts began drifting to his family.
Judge Lamberth described Dempsey’s offenses as “exceptionally egregious” before handing down the sentence, which he said was further warranted due to Dempsey’s lengthy criminal history and past instances where he had attacked political opponents during protests in 2019 and 2020.
The judge, a Reagan appointee, said that “fortunately” Dempsey’s efforts to break through the police line were not fruitful, as it would likely have resulted in a “bloodbath” for lawmakers sheltering inside the building.
Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they storm the US Capitol in Washington D.C., Jan. 6, 2021.
Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
“David Dempsey is political violence personified,” a prosecutor said in making the case for Dempsey’s harsh sentence.
Prior to receiving his sentence, Dempsey addressed the court and spoke of his “profound sense of regret” for his actions, issuing a personal apology to the police gathered in the room.
After receiving the sentence, however, Dempsey — as he was escorted out by the bailiff — made a hand sign in the air that is commonly associated with “white power” or the white supremacist Groyper movement.
Federal prosecutors have charged more than 1,265 defendants and secured prison sentences for more than 460 people involved in the Capitol attack, according to figures released early this year by the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington, D.C.
On January 6, 2021, a violent mob stormed the United States Capitol in an unprecedented attack on American democracy. Among the rioters was a man who has now been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the chaos that unfolded that day.
The man, whose name has not been disclosed to the public, was convicted of attacking multiple police officers during the insurrection. According to court documents, he was seen on video footage assaulting officers with a metal pole and spraying them with chemical irritants.
The sentencing of this individual sends a clear message that those who engage in violence and lawlessness will be held accountable for their actions. The judge presiding over the case emphasized the severity of the defendant’s actions and the impact they had on the officers who were simply trying to protect the Capitol and those inside.
The events of January 6th shocked the nation and exposed deep divisions within American society. The attack on the Capitol was a direct assault on the foundations of democracy and a stark reminder of the fragility of our political institutions.
In the aftermath of the riot, hundreds of individuals have been arrested and charged for their involvement in the insurrection. The Department of Justice has made it clear that they will pursue all those responsible for the violence and destruction that occurred that day.
The sentencing of this rioter serves as a warning to others who may be considering engaging in similar acts of violence. The consequences of attacking law enforcement officers and undermining the rule of law are severe, and those who choose to participate in such actions will face justice.
As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of January 6th, it is crucial that we reflect on the events of that day and work towards healing and unity. The sentencing of individuals like this rioter is a step towards holding accountable those who seek to sow chaos and division in our society. It is a reminder that our democracy is fragile, but it is also resilient, and we must all do our part to protect and defend it.
