By A federal judge sentenced an Alabama man to nine years in prison Thursday for manufacturing and detonating a shrapnel-filled explosive device outside the state Attorney General’s office, marking the conclusion of a case that highlighted growing concerns about attacks on government institutions.
Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 27, of Irondale, pleaded guilty to the malicious use of an explosive device in the February 24 attack on the downtown Montgomery building. During his plea hearing, Calvert admitted to crafting the explosive device with nails and screws intended as shrapnel, positioning it near the building in the early morning hours, and igniting its fuse before fleeing the scene.
“Acts of violence like this one against our public institutions endanger public servants and entire communities, and they must not be tolerated,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said following the sentencing. “Kyle Calvert attacked the Alabama Attorney General’s Office with a shrapnel-filled explosive and then fled the scene, but this sentence ensures he will not escape accountability for his crime.”
The investigation revealed that before the bombing, Calvert placed stickers bearing various political messages on downtown buildings, including some reading “Support your local antifa.” However, prosecutors noted that Calvert explicitly denied any affiliation with antifa organizations in his plea agreement. Law enforcement arrested him on April 10 following an extensive multi-agency investigation.
FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the broader implications of attacks on government facilities. “This case demonstrates the FBI’s continued commitment to working with our partners to bring to justice anyone who attempts violence to injure or intimidate members of our community,” Wray said.
Steven Dettelbach, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), characterized the sentencing as a clear message that “any attack on America’s justice system, and on the civil servants and public officials who serve our communities and country, will not be tolerated.”
The successful prosecution resulted from coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson for the Middle District of Alabama. “Working together, investigators and analysts were able to identify Calvert as a suspect and ensure he was held accountable for his attempt to intimidate public officials and create chaos,” Davidson said.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Russell T. Duraski and Brett J. Talley prosecuted the case, which was investigated primarily by the FBI with assistance from the ATF. While no injuries were reported from the explosion, the incident prompted heightened security measures at government facilities throughout the region.
