Robert Crimo Jr., father of Highland Park parade shooting suspect, released from jail

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) -- The father of the alleged Highland Park parade shooting suspect was released from jail Wednesday.

Robert Crimo Jr. walked out of the Lake County Jail in Waukegan dressed in a T-shirt with little to say.

He was sentenced to 60 days in jail after pleading guilty on November 6 to misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct for helping his son acquire a firearm owner's id card, despite red flags.

Good behavior while in custody meant he only had to serve half of his sentence.

When the elder Crimo pleaded guilty last month, the head of the Illinois State Police said he hoped it would make parents think twice in the future.

"If you have knowledge that someone is a threat and you don't act on it, you could be looking at jail time yourself," Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly. "That is something we have not had before in this state until this moment today."

Prosecutors said they believe Crimo Jr. is the first Illinois parent to be criminally charged in connection to the alleged crimes of their child.

In this case, the crime was the largest mass shooting in state history. Seven people were killed and dozens more were injured during the Highland Park Independence Day Parade last year.

When Crimo Jr. surrendered to authorities last month on the reckless conduct charge, he wore a T-shirt proclaiming he was a "political pawn."

Wednesday morning as he walked free, he refused to elaborate.

Crimo Jr.'s son remains behind bars. His trial is expected to get underway at the end of February.