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November 21, 2024 – WASHINGTON – An Illinois man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to assaulting law enforcement during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. 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.
Robert Giacchetti, 59, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers before U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. Judge Sullivan will sentence Giacchetti on June 3, 2025.
According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Giacchetti attended a rally at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C., and afterward made his way to the U.S. Capitol building. There, 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. On the North Terrace, Giacchetti confronted officers maintaining a police line, using his right elbow and hip to push against a riot shield, causing an officer to be driven backward.
Giacchetti then entered the Capitol building through the Upper West Terrace Door at approximately 2:34 p.m. Once inside, he moved to the Rotunda, the Rotunda Lobby, and the Gallery Stairs, where he chanted "Treason!" through his bullhorn to the rioters below. 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 during this time.
At approximately 2:43 p.m., Giacchetti entered the Senate Gallery, 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, joining a group of rioters confronting officers trying to block access to the Senate chamber.
Giacchetti exited the Capitol at approximately 2:55 p.m. via the Senate Carriage Door. Outside, Giacchetti confronted journalists on Capitol Grounds, destroying media equipment belonging to the Associated Press. He pushed over lights, a dolly, and a camera on a tripod, which struck a journalist, causing the journalists to flee the area.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
This case is being investigated by the FBI's Chicago and Washington Field Offices. Giacchetti was identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #201 on the FBI's seeking information images. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 46 months since Jan. 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, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
Source: DOJ Release
