A 20-year prison sentence has been imposed on a California resident who violently attacked law enforcement officers during the January 6 Capitol riots. David Nicholas Dempsey, of Van Nuys, California, pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting police officers with a deadly weapon in January.
Dempsey’s actions on that day were marked by extreme aggression, as he wielded a metal pole and other improvised weapons against police. Footage from the riot captured Dempsey’s involvement, despite his attempts to conceal his identity by covering his face.
The severity of Dempsey’s crimes was underscored by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who stated that his behavior was “exceptionally egregious” and not simply a momentary lapse in judgment. Dempsey was also accused of stomping on the heads of police officers, further highlighting the brutality of his actions.
This sentence is the second-longest handed down in connection with the Capitol riots. Dempsey has been incarcerated since his arrest in 2021, and his case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to hold accountable those responsible for the violence that unfolded on January 6.
The January 6 riot has resulted in over 1,400 individuals being charged with related crimes, with approximately 550 of those charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. Dempsey’s sentence reflects the serious consequences faced by those who engage in violent behavior against law enforcement officers.
