A McHenry man who announced on social media that he is running for U.S. President in 2028, has been charged and detained in jail after threatening Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart and a defense attorney in a video posted to TikTok.
Eric Walleck, 51, has been charged in Lake County criminal court with two counts of threatening a public official after posting the video on social media on July 17. Each charge is a Class 3 felony and punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Following his arrest, prosecutors filed a motion to detain Walleck until trial.
Prosecutors said in the motion to detain filed in court that Walleck posted a video to his TikTok account where he identifies himself as a candidate for President of the United States in 2028.
Walleck also said in the video that has since been removed from social media, that he had an encounter in a state park and armed individuals confronted him on behalf of Rinehart.
The defendant also mentions an assistant public defender, authorities said.
Walleck said in the video that he will “hunt down” Rinehart and the defense attorney, prosecutors said.
Walleck states in the video that the outcome “won’t be pretty” and that it will be a “gruesome sight” when he finds them.
In addition to the Tik Tok video, Walleck posted on a Facebook account at “Eric Walleck U.S. President 2028” that, “This video is addressed to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Eric Reinhardt, the Public Defenders Office, and my former attorney who allegedly dispatched an individual to surveil and harm me.”
The post continued, “I will not be deterred or silenced. I will continue my campaign for President of the United States and remain committed to exposing corruption. I refuse to accept a plea deal, as I am innocent and fully intend to pursue this matter to the United States Supreme Court.”
He also added, “It is my contention that Eric Reinhardt is receiving protection from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who is allegedly employing unethical tactics to discredit my presidential campaign for the 2028 United States Presidential election.”
Prosecutors said that Walleck was on probation for Aggravated Assault to a Peace Officer and Aggravated Assault with a Motor Vehicle from 2024. He also was convicted in 2008 of Violation of an Order of Protection and Filing a False Report.
Walleck was ordered held in Lake County Jail until trial by Lake County Circuit Court Judge Michael Nerheim following the detention hearing on July 23. Walleck is due back in court August 21.