A California man, David Dempsey, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his violent actions during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Dempsey, 37, was charged with assaulting police officers with a flagpole and other makeshift weapons, making him one of the most violent participants in the attack. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who presided over the case, condemned Dempsey’s actions as exceptionally egregious, noting that the defendant did not act on impulse but was driven by a clear intent to inflict harm.
David Dempsey’s lengthy sentence is one of the most severe handed down in connection with the Capitol riot, surpassed only by the 22-year sentence of Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in orchestrating the attack. The case against David Dempsey is part of a broader federal effort that has seen more than one thousand individuals arrested and hundreds convicted for crimes related to the insurrection.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
David Dempsey’s violent history and his actions during the Capitol riot resulted in one of the harshest sentences handed down to any January 6 defendant. U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth sentenced Dempsey to 20 years in prison, the second-longest sentence among the approximately 950 defendants sentenced in connection with the Capitol attack. The only longer sentence was given to Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy and received a 22-year sentence.
Judge Lamberth emphasized that David Dempsey’s conduct on January 6 was particularly egregious, noting that he did not make a split-second decision to engage in violence but instead had a long history of inflicting violence on political opponents. Dempsey’s lengthy criminal record, which included convictions for burglary, drug dealing, and assault with a caustic chemical, was also considered during sentencing. His criminal history was so extensive that he was classified as “criminal history category 6,” the highest category used for calculating sentencing guidelines.
David Dempsey’s History of Violence at Political Rallies
David Dempsey’s violent behavior on January 6 was not an isolated incident. He had a well-documented history of committing violence at political rallies, particularly against anti-Trump protesters. In 2019, Dempsey was arrested in Santa Monica, California, after spraying anti-Trump protesters with bear spray. He was convicted of that assault in 2021 and received a two-year suspended sentence. Despite this conviction, Dempsey continued to engage in violent behavior, assaulting protesters with a metal bat and a skateboard at multiple rallies in 2019 and 2020.
David Dempsey’s participation in the Capitol riot was captured on video, which showed him climbing atop other rioters to reach the front line of the skirmish, where he immediately began attacking police officers. He threw poles, swung a flagpole at officers, and deployed bear spray into the faces of officers, causing severe physical and emotional harm. His actions were so violent that prosecutors described him as “one of the most violent rioters, during one of the most violent stretches of time” at the Capitol on January 6.
Apology and Impact on Law Enforcement
During his sentencing hearing, Dempsey apologized to the police officers he assaulted and to the community at large. In a packed courtroom, with several officers who were present at the Capitol on January 6 in attendance, Dempsey expressed remorse for his actions. “You were doing your duties, and I responded with anger and violence,” Dempsey said. “To the officers and their families, I really am sorry about everything that has transpired and I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me.”
Despite his apology, the impact of David Dempsey’s actions on the officers involved was profound. Sgt. Jason Mastony, who suffered a concussion after being struck by Dempsey, provided a victim impact statement in Dempsey’s case, stating that the force of the blow was so severe that it caused his ears to ring and he collapsed against a wall. Mastony’s statement highlighted the extreme violence that officers faced on January 6 and the lasting physical and emotional effects of that day.
David Dempsey’s case serves as a stark reminder of the violence that occurred at the Capitol on January 6 and the severe consequences for those who participated in the attack. His 20-year sentence reflects the gravity of his actions and the ongoing efforts to hold accountable those who sought to undermine the democratic process through violence.
