A transgender individual with ties to left-wing extremist groups was sentenced to nine years in federal prison on Thursday for setting off a makeshift explosive device outside the Alabama Attorney General’s office in Montgomery earlier this year.
Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 26, pleaded guilty in federal court to the malicious use of an explosive device earlier this year. Calvert detonated the improvised explosive device outside the Montgomery office of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall on February 24.
When entering the plea, Calvert admitted to constructing the device himself using a collection of household items such as nails and screws to act as shrapnel, as well as accelerants to ignite the explosive. Prosecutors have stated that Calvert filled the device with maximum shrapnel in order to cause the most damage.
The explosion occurred after Calvert lit the fuse and immediately fled the scene. The 26-year-old was ultimately apprehended by law enforcement on April 10.
Calvert had previously expressed support for Antifa and other left-wing extremist groups on social media, the DOJ said. He also endorsed the idea of political violence against the government and placed pro-Antifa stickers near the scene of the crime. The far-left extremist has claimed that he has no affiliation with the black-bloc militant group Antifa, which has been responsible for several violent attacks and riots in the United States and Europe.
“Calvert’s offense was a very serious one and today’s plea ensures that he will face significant consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Ross for the Middle District of Alabama. “Calvert would not have been held accountable had it not been for the thorough and painstaking investigation conducted by federal, state, and local law enforcement agents working together. I am grateful for the efforts of everyone involved.”
Trans Antifa terrorist Kyle D. Calvert left Antifa recruitment propaganda (made by @GraffitiRadical) around the scene of the nail bomb in Montgomery, Ala. But in pleading guilty, he lied and claimed to have no association with Antifa. https://t.co/KtzwcLNdKL pic.twitter.com/06Wwk55tt9
— Andy Ngo 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) November 24, 2024
On Thursday, Calvert was sentenced to nine years in federal prison after facing a maximum of 20 as a result of his plea agreement.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland praised the sentencing in a press release. “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. Acts of violence like this one against our public institutions endanger public servants and entire communities, and they must not be tolerated,” he said.
FBI Director Christopher Wray added, “Today’s sentencing is the final step holding Kyle Calvert accountable for detonating a shrapnel-filled explosive device outside a public office in downtown Montgomery. 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.”
