PHOENIX – Nathaniel Vernon Dempsey, of Pinon, Arizona, was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. Dempsey had previously pleaded guilty to burglary and assault on a federal officer.
According to the Department of Justice, on October 10, 2018, Dempsey went to his girlfriend’s residence inside Grand Canyon National Park. While no one was home, Dempsey burglarized the residence and stole several items. After his girlfriend returned home later that night, Dempsey returned to the home, tried to force his way inside again, and threatened her with a knife. Law Enforcement Rangers with the National Park Service responded to the home. When a Ranger ordered Dempsey to get on the ground, Dempsey refused. Dempsey, holding a knife in each hand, then charged at the Ranger.
The Rangers eventually took Dempsey into custody without anyone being seriously injured.