'Political violence personified': Jan. 6 defendant sentenced to 20 years for multiple brutal assaults on police
David Dempsey played a significant role in the most intense violence directed at police officers during the Capitol riot.
TroibNews 
A California man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Friday for his violent actions at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, marking the longest sentence given to any participant in the events of that day. He had cracked the face shield of one police officer, sprayed pepper spray on others, and assaulted officers using poles, boards, and his feet.
Prosecutors described David Dempsey as “political violence personified,” a sentiment echoed by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who commented that Dempsey’s actions were “exceptionally egregious” even on a day that “will be seared into our nation’s memory as a bloodbath.”
Among the more than 1,400 people charged in connection to the Jan. 6 attack—a violent attempt by supporters of former President Donald Trump to stop the transfer of power to President Joe Biden—only Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, has received a longer prison term of 22 years. Tarrio, however, was not present at the Capitol; he was convicted of orchestrating a plan for his Proud Boys associates to breach the Capitol and overpower the police.
Dempsey’s sentence surpasses that of Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, who was sentenced to 18 years for orchestrating a similar plan to obstruct the transfer of power.
Dempsey, who pleaded guilty to assault, not only committed violence for hours on January 6, but he also arrived at the Capitol with a history of political violence. He was heavily involved in the most violent episodes of the riot, particularly at the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace tunnel, where he attacked officers with wooden poles and other objects.
Several officers who defended the Capitol on January 6 observed the court proceedings, listening silently as prosecutors detailed Dempsey’s severe assaults. Sgt. Jason Mastony, one of the officers attacked by Dempsey, recounted in a written statement how Dempsey had struck his head with a crutch, causing significant harm.
“I collapsed and caught myself against the wall as my ears rang,” Mastony said in his statement to the court.
Prosecutors urged Judge Lamberth to impose a severe sentence, pointing out that January 6 was not an isolated incident for Dempsey, who has a history of violent behavior during protests, including using chemical sprays against counterprotesters. The court was shown a video of Dempsey assaulting a protester with a skateboard at previous rallies, causing audible reactions from the courtroom audience.
Addressing the judge, Dempsey attributed his violent behavior to a life of hardship and abuse. He described a turbulent life full of “highs and lows” and apologized to the officers he had attacked, claiming he was overwhelmed by emotions. He insisted that he did not come to Washington that day “hellbent on violence” or with the intent to overturn an election.
Dempsey’s sentence had a profound impact on his family present in the courtroom, including his 7-year-old daughter. After the sentencing, she was seen playing in the hallway while her mother cried. A family member mentioned that the girl had just celebrated her birthday and did not understand the situation.
Only a few other Jan. 6 rioters without affiliations to extremist groups have received sentences of 10 or more years. These individuals include Peter Schwartz, who also had a lengthy criminal record and was sentenced to 14 years; Daniel “D.J.” Rodriguez, who used a taser on D.C. police officer Michael Fanone; and Thomas Webster, a retired NYPD officer who attempted to gouge the eyes of a D.C. police officer during a particularly vicious confrontation.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
Prosecutors described David Dempsey as “political violence personified,” a sentiment echoed by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who commented that Dempsey’s actions were “exceptionally egregious” even on a day that “will be seared into our nation’s memory as a bloodbath.”
Among the more than 1,400 people charged in connection to the Jan. 6 attack—a violent attempt by supporters of former President Donald Trump to stop the transfer of power to President Joe Biden—only Enrique Tarrio, former leader of the Proud Boys, has received a longer prison term of 22 years. Tarrio, however, was not present at the Capitol; he was convicted of orchestrating a plan for his Proud Boys associates to breach the Capitol and overpower the police.
Dempsey’s sentence surpasses that of Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, who was sentenced to 18 years for orchestrating a similar plan to obstruct the transfer of power.
Dempsey, who pleaded guilty to assault, not only committed violence for hours on January 6, but he also arrived at the Capitol with a history of political violence. He was heavily involved in the most violent episodes of the riot, particularly at the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace tunnel, where he attacked officers with wooden poles and other objects.
Several officers who defended the Capitol on January 6 observed the court proceedings, listening silently as prosecutors detailed Dempsey’s severe assaults. Sgt. Jason Mastony, one of the officers attacked by Dempsey, recounted in a written statement how Dempsey had struck his head with a crutch, causing significant harm.
“I collapsed and caught myself against the wall as my ears rang,” Mastony said in his statement to the court.
Prosecutors urged Judge Lamberth to impose a severe sentence, pointing out that January 6 was not an isolated incident for Dempsey, who has a history of violent behavior during protests, including using chemical sprays against counterprotesters. The court was shown a video of Dempsey assaulting a protester with a skateboard at previous rallies, causing audible reactions from the courtroom audience.
Addressing the judge, Dempsey attributed his violent behavior to a life of hardship and abuse. He described a turbulent life full of “highs and lows” and apologized to the officers he had attacked, claiming he was overwhelmed by emotions. He insisted that he did not come to Washington that day “hellbent on violence” or with the intent to overturn an election.
Dempsey’s sentence had a profound impact on his family present in the courtroom, including his 7-year-old daughter. After the sentencing, she was seen playing in the hallway while her mother cried. A family member mentioned that the girl had just celebrated her birthday and did not understand the situation.
Only a few other Jan. 6 rioters without affiliations to extremist groups have received sentences of 10 or more years. These individuals include Peter Schwartz, who also had a lengthy criminal record and was sentenced to 14 years; Daniel “D.J.” Rodriguez, who used a taser on D.C. police officer Michael Fanone; and Thomas Webster, a retired NYPD officer who attempted to gouge the eyes of a D.C. police officer during a particularly vicious confrontation.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
