A Freeport man who kidnapped and severely beat his former girlfriend before threatening to kill her was sentenced Thursday, Oct. 8, to 23½ years to life in prison, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced.
David Chaplin, 58, was convicted by a jury on June 23, 2026, following a trial before Judge Terrence Murphy on kidnapping, attempted assault and multiple other charges stemming from the violence and threats against the woman in 2024.
According to prosecutors, Chaplin and the victim were dating when she visited him and his 2-year-old daughter. Following an argument, Chaplin attacked the woman, beating her with his fists and a wooden bat-like object while his daughter was nearby.
The woman suffered a broken arm, a fractured orbital bone and other injuries. Prosecutors said she drifted in and out of consciousness for hours following the assault.
The following morning, the victim went to a hospital, where medical personnel alerted police to her injuries. However, she initially declined to speak with investigators because she feared Chaplin would retaliate.
Over the next month, the woman stopped seeing Chaplin but continued communicating with him because of her affection for his young daughter.
On July 4, 2024, the victim visited Chaplin’s home to drop off items for the child. As she returned to her vehicle, Chaplin confronted her, displayed a gun and threatened her if she reported his actions to police, prosecutors said.
Two days later, Chaplin sent the woman text messages threatening to shoot and kill her. The threats prompted her to contact authorities.
Chaplin was arrested July 6, 2024, by Freeport police with assistance from Nassau County police. Officers found cocaine in his possession, according to prosecutors.
Chaplin also consented to a search of his home, where investigators recovered an unloaded firearm with an altered or removed serial number. Authorities determined the gun was operable.
A jury convicted Chaplin of second-degree kidnapping, attempted first-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, second-degree assault, three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, endangering the welfare of a child, second-degree menacing, second-degree aggravated harassment and second-degree criminal contempt.
“David Chaplin kidnapped his victim, subjected her to extreme violence, and threatened her over the course of weeks to manipulate her,” Donnelly said.
The district attorney credited the victim for coming forward despite fearing for her life and said the sentence would keep Chaplin behind bars for decades.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Louis Stober and Deputy District Court Bureau Chief Melissa Salsone of the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office. Chaplin was represented by attorney Donald Rollock.
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