A California man with a history of political violence was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to a report by Voice of America.

David Nicholas Dempsey, described by prosecutors as one of the most violent participants, was convicted of assaulting police officers with flagpoles and other makeshift weapons.

His actions included stomping on officers' heads, swinging poles, and using pepper spray against law enforcement as they defended a tunnel entrance during the riot.

Dempsey, who pleaded guilty in January to two counts of assaulting police officers with a dangerous weapon, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who condemned his actions as "exceptionally egregious."

The prosecution highlighted Dempsey’s violent history, which includes prior convictions for assault and burglary, as well as attacks on protesters in California.

Despite Dempsey’s apology to the officers, the judge emphasized that his actions on January 6 were premeditated rather than spontaneous.

Dempsey's Violent Rampage Injured Police Officers

Court documents state that Dempsey stomped on police officers' heads and swung poles at officers defending a tunnel entrance to the Capitol.

He struck an officer in the head with a metal crutch and attacked police with pepper spray and broken pieces of furniture.

Dempsey climbed on top of other rioters, using them as "human scaffolding" to reach officers guarding the tunnel. His actions injured at least two police officers.

"Your conduct on January 6th was exceptionally egregious," U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth told Dempsey at sentencing. "You did not get carried away in the moment."

Dempsey Apologizes, Calls Own Actions "Reprehensible"

In January, Dempsey pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting police officers with a dangerous weapon. At his sentencing, he called his own conduct "reprehensible" and apologized to the officers he assaulted.

"You were performing your duties, and I responded with hostility and violence," Dempsey said before learning his sentence.

Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of 21 years and 10 months, describing Dempsey's violence as so extreme that he even attacked a fellow rioter who tried to disarm him.

Judge Rejects Defense's Call For Lighter Sentence

Dempsey's defense attorney Amy Collins sought a much lighter sentence of 6 years and six months. She argued that the government's recommendation was "ridiculous" and would make Dempsey "a statistic" without considering "the person he is, how much he has grown."

Judge Lamberth evidently disagreed, imposing the 20-year term which is among the stiffest yet in the January 6 cases. Only Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was sentenced to 22 years for orchestrating a plot to disrupt the transfer of power, has received a longer sentence.

Dempsey has been jailed since his arrest in August 2021. His criminal record in California includes prior convictions for burglary, theft, and assault.

Conclusion

David Dempsey was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his violent attacks on police officers during the January 6 Capitol riot. Prosecutors described him as one of the most violent rioters, using poles, pepper spray, and a metal crutch to assault officers guarding a tunnel entrance.

Despite his apology and his defense attorney's plea for leniency, the judge imposed one of the longest sentences yet in the Capitol riot cases, second only to Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio's 22-year term. Dempsey had a prior criminal record in California.