A Crystal Lake man has pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement during the deadly January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
Robert Giacchetti, 59, of Crystal Lake, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers before U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan.
Giacchetti attended a rally at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021, prosecutors said. He then made his way to the U.S. Capitol building.
While on a restricted walkway on the south side of the Capitol, Giacchetti used a bullhorn to yell profanities and insults at law enforcement officers responding to the riot.
Prosecutors said Giacchetti went to the North Terrace and confronted officers who were maintaining a police line.
He used his right elbow and hip to push against a riot shield, causing an officer to be driven backward, prosecutors said.
Giacchetti then entered the Capitol building through the Upper West Terrace Door at approximately 2:34 p.m.
He moved to the Rotunda, the Rotunda Lobby and the Gallery Stairs where he chanted “Treason!” through his bullhorn to the rioters below, prosecutors said.
Giacchetti then joined a crowd in the East Corridor where some individuals banged on closed office doors and shouted, “1776!” He continued to use his bullhorn to yell.
Prosecutors said Giacchetti entered the Senate Gallery at 2:43 p.m. where he yelled phrases such as “Where’d you go?!” and “Treason!” through his bullhorn.
After exiting the Gallery, he moved to the Ohio Clock Corridor where he joined a group of rioters confronting officers trying to block access to the Senate chamber.
Giacchetti exited the Capitol at approximately 2:55 p.m. through the Senate Carriage Door.
Prosecutors said he confronted journalists on Capitol Grounds and destroyed media equipment belonging to the Associated Press.
Giacchetti pushed over lights, a dolly and a camera on a tripod, which struck a journalist, causing the journalists to flee the area.
“His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said.
The judge in the case will sentence Giacchetti on June 3.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia said that in the 46 months since January 6, 2021, more than 1,561 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 590 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
One rioter was fatally shot by police during the incident and 140 police officers were injured. Four officers who responded died by suicide in the months after.