Crystal Lake man pleads guilty in Jan. 6 case

A Crystal Lake man pleaded guilty Wednesday to assaulting law enforcement during the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Robert Giacchetti, 59, plead guilty to one count of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. He joins more than 50 Illinois residents arrested in connection with the U.S. Capitol breach to disrupt the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.

The future of these cases is uncertain, however, as President-elect Donald Trump discussed during the campaign pardoning those charged with crimes tied to the attack.

According to court documents, Giacchetti attended the rally hosted by then-President Trump on the Ellipse the morning of the assault on the Capitol. At the Capitol, Giacchetti allegedly used a bullhorn to yell profanities and insults at officers defending the building and used his right elbow and hip to push against a riot shield.

Giacchetti was part of a group of rioters who made their way into the U.S. Senate Gallery, where he yelled “Where’d you go?” — as senators had evacuated the building — and “Treason” using the same bullhorn, authorities said. After leaving the gallery, he allegedly confronted journalists, broke Associated Press-owned equipment and pushed over a camera on a tripod, striking a reporter.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 3.