Schiller Park Robin Reierson convicted, immediately taken into custody for violence on January 6

CHICAGO (WLS) — A former employee of Argonne National Laboratory outside Chicago has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Schiller Park resident Robin Reierson, who turns 70 next month, pleaded guilty to “assaulting, resisting or obstructing officers” during the Capitol Hill takeover but had pushed for a sentence of no jail time. Federal prosecutors, who have emphasized the need for prison time as a public deterrent against such political violence, wanted Reierson locked up for two years.

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In an unusual move by authorities, Reierson was immediately taken into custody at the end of his sentencing hearing Wednesday in Washington, DC. Typically, defendants are given time to get their affairs in order and then surrender at a later date.

That was not the case for Reierson on Wednesday. His full sentence is one and a half years behind bars, followed by 36 months of supervised release, a $5,000 fine and $2,000 restitution.

Michael Leonard, Reierson’s attorney, tells the I-Team that U.S. District Court Judge Reggie Walton had a message for Reierson as he ordered him immediately sent to prison.

‘The judge spent a lot of time on direct conversations (Reierson) and a kind of proclamation of his themes about new elections coming up. I need to send a message to people who could do something in light of this next election,” Leonard said.

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“I would certainly argue that the punishment should be tailored to the person who committed the crime,” Leonard added. “Especially when you have a guy like Reierson, who has lived a great life by all accounts and is a hugely respected man in the community. So it’s disappointing that (the sentence) in this case is no longer attuned to him.”

Gil Soffer, ABC 7’s chief legal analyst and former federal prosecutor, said it’s possible the judge wanted to send a message with Reierson’s sentencing.

“The government is not immune to what is happening around it,” Soffer said. “The Department of Justice is not immune to what is happening in the broader world. So it may very well be part of their thinking that, given the election, they want to send a message loud and clear that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. “

As the ABC7 I-Team first reported, at the time of the riot, Reierson was working as a lead welder at Argonne National Laboratory, a top security facility southwest of Chicago. A spokesperson for Argonne National Laboratory told the I-Team that Reierson is “no longer employed by the laboratory” and directed any further questions to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

The judge ordered Reierson to stay away from the Capitol grounds during his supervised release unless he receives special permission.

Authorities say Reierson “used his back and body to push against the barrier of a bicycle rack and get into the line of gathered officers.” capital building.

During the fight, security photos show Reierson wearing a protective helmet and encouraging fellow attackers according to investigators – encouraging them to “don’t stop… keep going!”

Wednesday’s sentencing follows a similar recent pattern of harsher sentences for suspects charged with crimes related to Jan. 6.

“The government has made clear why they are asking for more prison time to send a message to discourage similar behavior in potential future cases like this,” Soffer told the I-Team. “They are becoming more aggressive with these cases.”