An Illinois man received an 18-month prison sentence for his role in the January 6 Capitol riots, according to the Department of Justice. Robin Lee Reierson, 69, of Schiller Park, was accused of assaulting law enforcement as part of the mob that disrupted the congressional session affirming the 2020 presidential election results. Along with his prison term, U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton also mandated Reierson to complete 36 months of supervised release and pay $7,000 in restitution and fines.
Court documents reveal that Reierson had traveled from the Chicago suburbs to attend then-President Trump's "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington D.C. It was after this gathering that he and others moved towards the Capitol building, joining chants and eventually coming to a confrontational head with police officers. Reierson reportedly tried to breach the police line by pushing against barriers and physically confronting officers. He had also attempted to grab an officer's baton and was captured in video evidence telling rioters, "Don't stop, keep going" and to put away their cameras as they persisted.
The FBI's investigation into the incident resulted in Reierson's arrest on August 23, 2023. Identified as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) number 433, the case was worked jointly by the FBI's Chicago and Washington Field Offices with cooperation from the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department. This case stands among others as part of a far-reaching investigation that has, over the past 45 months, seen more than 1,532 individuals charged with various offenses related to the Capitol breach, with over 571 of those facing charges for assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
The Department of Justice reports that the sentencing of Reierson highlights the continued repercussions of the January 6 events on individual participants. The public has been encouraged to continue contributing any relevant tips to assist ongoing investigations by contacting 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visiting the FBI's tip website. As the ripple effects of that day are still unfolding, the DOJ assures that the pursuit of justice remains unabated for those responsible for the attack on America’s democratic process.
