Robert Crimo Jr. was arraigned in the Lake County courthouse Thursday morning, one day after a grand jury formally indicted him for seven counts of reckless conduct.
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Prosecutors say the 58-year-old signed his then 19-year-old son's gun ownership application despite knowing of his son's threat to kill himself and others.
Robert Crimo III allegedly killed seven people and injured 50 others during Highland Park's Fourth of July parade in 2022.
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The "elder" Crimo was arrested in December, also on seven felony counts of reckless conduct, one for each person killed at the parade.
The longtime resident and well-known figure in Highland Park was released after his arrest on a $50,000 bond.
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"We're a little surprised at the indictment," said defense attorney George Gomez.
The defense admits that Crimo Jr. signed the firearms owner identification card (FOID) for his son.
"That's not in dispute at this point," Gomez said.
In court, Judge George Strickland read the name of each of the seven people killed as he detailed the charges. Each carries a maximum sentence of three years.
Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart handled the case personally and turned over 74 pages of evidence to the defense as part of the discovery process. But the state's attorney said in a statement that "Parents who are reckless when they help their kids get weapons of war are morally and legally responsible for the harm that follows."
Crimo Jr's attorney has called the charges baseless and unprecedented.
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"We're gonna take a look at the discovery tendered to us today. I do believe at the end of the day, Mr. Crimo will be vindicated of these charges," Gomez said.
Gomez said Crimo Jr. remains strong and plans to vigorously defend himself against these charges. The attorney also said his client continues to support his son, the alleged gunman, 100%.
Crimo Jr.'s next court date was set for April 4. Meanwhile, his son remains behind bars awaiting trial.
This is at least the second time in a year that authorities brought charges against parents of mass shooting suspects. In December 2021, prosecutors filed involuntary manslaughter charges against the parents of a 15-year-old accused of killing four students at a Michigan high school.