An Alabama man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for planting an explosive device in the attorney general’s office building.
Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 27, of Irondale, will serve 108 months in prison for the malicious use of an explosive device, said Kevin Davidson, acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama.
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“Kyle Calvert attacked the Alabama Attorney General’s office with a shrapnel-filled explosive device and then fled the scene, but this sentence ensures he will not escape responsibility for his crime,” said Attorney General Merrick B .Garland. “Acts of violence like this against our public institutions endanger public officials and entire communities and must not be tolerated. “I am grateful to the FBI, ATF and our state and local law enforcement partners for ensuring accountability for this attack, and for the work they do every day to protect our communities.”
Calvert pleaded guilty in the case. According to the plea agreement and other court documents, Calvert planted an explosive device outside the office in downtown Montgomery in the early morning hours of Feb. 24. During his plea hearing, Calvert admitted to manufacturing the device and using nails and screws as shrapnel. After placing the explosive near the attorney general’s office, Calvert lit the fuse and left the area before it exploded.
No injuries have been reported. Before planting and detonating the device, Calvert placed stickers on several downtown buildings with images advocating different political ideologies. Some stickers included the phrase “Support your local Antifa.” As reflected in the plea agreement, Calvert claims he has no ties to Antifa. Law enforcement officers arrested Calvert on April 10.
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“Today’s sentencing is the final step in holding Kyle Calvert accountable for detonating a shrapnel-filled explosive device outside a public office in downtown Montgomery,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “This case demonstrates the FBI’s continued commitment to working with our partners to bring to justice anyone who uses force to harm or intimidate members of our community.”
The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Contact Montgomery Advertiser Reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Man gets 9 years in prison for planting a bomb at AG’s office
