Trump Supporter Sentenced to 20 Years for Violently Assaulting Police During Capitol Riot

David Dempsey, a supporter of former President Donald Trump, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Dempsey had stood in front of a gallows and expressed his desire to hang Democratic politicians before assaulting numerous police officers during the riots.

Violence and Assaults on Police Officers

During the Capitol attack, Dempsey viciously assaulted law enforcement officers at the lower west tunnel, where some of the most severe violence occurred that day. Prosecutors described Dempsey as climbing over fellow rioters, using his hands, feet, flag poles, crutches, pepper spray, broken pieces of furniture, and any other objects he could find as weapons against the police officers.

Federal prosecutors sought a sentence of more than 21 years (262 months) for Dempsey due to the level of violence he inflicted on law enforcement personnel. They emphasized the brutality of Dempsey's actions and the significant danger he posed during the Capitol attack.

Judge Royce Lamberth's Sentencing

Judge Royce Lamberth, a Ronald Reagan appointee, imposed the 20-year sentence and condemned the "preposterous" rhetoric used by some Republicans attempting to downplay or justify the January 6 attack. He expressed concerns about Dempsey's attempts to minimize his conduct and come up with non-factual justifications for his actions that day.

Judge Lamberth referred to Dempsey's behavior as "exceptionally egregious" and noted that Dempsey appeared "dressed for battle" when he joined the rioters attempting to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power after President Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. He cautioned that the situation on January 6 could have been even worse, warning of a possible "bloodbath" had the rioters succeeded in their attempt to reach members of Congress certifying the presidential election results.

Assaults on Officers

David Dempsey specifically pleaded guilty to assaulting Washington Police Detective Phuson Nguyen and Washington Police Sgt. Jason Mastony during the Capitol attack. Prosecutors detailed the severity of the assaults, including using pepper spray, striking with a metal crutch, and inflicting injuries that left the officers dazed and bleeding.

Dempsey's aggression towards law enforcement during the January 6 attack extended beyond the two officers he pleaded guilty to assaulting, with prosecutors highlighting his relentless use of weapons, chemical agents, and physical attacks against multiple officers defending the Capitol.