Jail officials have extended the accused Highland Park parade shooter’s time in the maximum security unit after he committed yet another rule violation in custody.
Robert E. Crimo III, 23, of Highwood, faces 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm.
He has been held in the Lake County Jail without bond since July 6, 2022.
During his most recent court appearance on Friday, Crimo III was escorted into the courtroom while wearing a red shirt, which indicates he is in the Administrative Segregation Unit (ASU) of the Lake County Jail.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said that Crimo III was placed in ASU, also known as the maximum security, for rule violations in November.
Covelli said that Crimo III violated the rules in the jail on November 6 by verbally threatening a correctional officer.
The incident occurred when Crimo III became upset during a random shakedown of his cell, Covelli said.
Correctional staff routinely search the cells for contraband and homemade weapons.
Crimo IIIÂ was set to be released back to his previous cellblock on Thursday but his time was extended late last month following a new rule violation.
Covelli said Crimo III used the PIN of another inmate to make a telephone call on December 21.
The man’s phone privileges had been suspended at the time.
“Sometimes, there are inmates who try to circumvent the system by using someone else’s credentials to make a phone call – which appears to be the case in this circumstance,” Covelli said.
The new incident caused him to be disciplined for another 60 days in the ASU. He is scheduled to be put back in his normal cellblock on March 3 as long as no other disciplinary issues occur.
Crimo III is no longer representing himself in his case as of his Friday court hearing.
“With the — with the consideration, I am requesting to reappoint the Lake County public defenders,” Crimo III told Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti.
The judge granted the request and reappointed the Lake County Public Defender’s Office.
The public defender’s office was not present during the Friday hearing, which lasted less than two minutes, because they had previously been discharged by Crimo III, who wished to represent himself, on December 11.
A trial is scheduled for February 26 but it is unclear if that date will be rescheduled following the reappointment of the public defender.