Storming the Capitol: US issues one of the harshest sentences for riots

Storming the Capitol: The US has handed down one of the harshest sentences for riots Vladislav Kravtsov

The US has handed down the most severe sentence for the storming of the Capitol Capitol/Collage 24 Channel (photo Getty Images and from Shutterstock)

One of the most severe sentences was handed down in the United States for the storming of the Capitol, which took place in January 2021. American David Nicholas Dempsey from California received 20 years in prison.

The man was convicted of participating in the riots and using flagpoles, pepper spray and other improvised means against police during the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

What is known about the most brutal sentence for storming the Capitol

Associated Press journalists noted that prosecutors portrayed David Nicholas Dempsey as one of the most active participants in the storming of the Capitol. According to investigators, he injured at least two law enforcement officers and attacked another participant in the events who tried to disarm him.

The man, who usually worked in construction and the restaurant business, pleaded guilty in January 2024 to two counts of using a “dangerous weapon” against law enforcement officers. The American expressed remorse and apologized to the police officers who suffered from his actions.

The court's decision noted aggravating factors in Dempsey's case, in particular, previous convictions for theft and participation in an attack during a peaceful demonstration against former President Donald Trump in 2019.

Prosecutors from the US Department of Justice sought a sentence of 21 years and 10 months in prison for Dempsey. Ultimately, on August 9, Dempsey was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The publication noted that only the leader of the far-right organization Proud Boys, Enrique Tarrio, received a harsher sentence, who was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

In total, more than 1,400 people have been charged in connection with the riots of January 6, 2021, of which more than 900 have already been sentenced. About two-thirds of those convicted received sentences ranging from a few days to the maximum prison term of 22 years imposed by Tarrio.