A California man, David Dempsey, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for some of the most violent assaults against police during the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The sentence, delivered by senior D.C. District Judge Royce Lamberth, is the second longest handed down in connection with the Capitol riot.

During the trial, prosecutors presented multiple videos showing Dempsey repeatedly attacking police officers near the Lower West Terrace of the Capitol. In one clip, Dempsey is seen swinging a stolen metal crutch at an officer’s helmet, cracking the face shield. One officer testified that he believed he was going to die during the attack.

Judge Lamberth described Dempsey’s actions as “exceptionally egregious” and noted his long criminal history, including past attacks on political opponents during protests in 2019 and 2020. The judge stated that Dempsey’s attempts to break through the police line could have led to a “bloodbath” for lawmakers inside the building.

In court, Dempsey expressed regret and apologized to the police officers present. However, as he was escorted out, he made a hand gesture commonly associated with white supremacist groups.