Accused Parade Mass Shooter In Segregation After Phone Call Violation

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Robert Crimo III, charged with killing seven and wounding dozens of others in the Highland Park July 4 parade mass shooting, will remain in a segregated jail cell until early March after he violated a Lake County jail policy, officials confirmed on Monday.

Crimo III, who is scheduled to go to trial next month in connection with one of Illinois’ deadliest mass shootings, used another inmate’s PIN to place a phone call to his mother last month, even though his phone privileges had been suspended, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Chris Covelli said.

The violation took place on Dec. 21, Covelli said.

"Sometimes, there are inmates who try and 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 will keep Crimo III, 23, in the administrative segregation unit for 60 additional days after he was previously scheduled to return to a normal jail cell on Jan. 4. Once in the segregation cells, inmates have limited time outside the cell, have their phone privileges limited and are not permitted to have contact with other inmates.

Crimo III had previously been placed in the segregated jail unit after jail officials said that he had threatened corrections officers when he became upset when they searched for contraband in his cell. Covelli said that Crimo III will remain in the unit until March 3 if there are no further disciplinary issues.

Crimo is due back in court on Wednesday for a status hearing for his upcoming trial. Last week, he reversed course and announced that he again wished to be represented by the public defender’s officer after previously stating that he would represent himself.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said that he expects the timing of the trial to be discussed at Wednesday’s hearing.

Crimo III faces 21 counts of first-degree murder and numerous other charges in connection with the 2022 mass shooting.

Update: Highland Park Parade Shooting Defendant's Trial Date Set For February 2025