ACTION 8 UPDATE: Man pleads guilty to setting off bomb outside the Alabama attorney general’s office

Photos from U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama

ACTION 8 UPDATE: The man charged with setting off a bomb outside of the office of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has pleaded guilty in federal court.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says 26-year-old Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert of Irondale pleaded guilty to the malicious use of an explosive device.

“This defendant built a bomb using nails and screws as shrapnel and detonated it outside the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, endangering a public institution and members of the community,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “Public servants should never be targeted for doing their jobs. The Justice Department will not tolerate such conduct, and we will use every resource at our disposal to prevent these attacks and hold perpetrators accountable.”

“The defendant pleaded guilty today to setting off a powerful, shrapnel-filled explosive at public offices in the middle of downtown Montgomery,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “Violence and destruction of property will never be tolerated, and the FBI and our partners will continue to work together to ensure anyone who attempts to harm or intimidate the community will be held accountable.”

“This attack on the Alabama Attorney General’s Office was an attack on the American justice system,” said ATF Director Steven Dettelbach. “Violent, targeted attacks like this, aim to harm, whether physically or through fear and intimidation, the civil servants and public officials who serve our communities and country. ATF is committed to holding those who attack American institutions accountable. I commend the work of the ATF and all our federal and local partners in bringing this defendant to justice.”

“Calvert’s offense was a very serious one and today’s plea ensures that he will face significant consequences,” said United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross. “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.”

According to the plea agreement and other court documents, Calvert set off the bomb during the early morning hours of February 24 near the intersection of Washington Avenue and South Bainbridge Street. No injuries were reported.

Calvert admitted during the plea hearing to making the device using nails and screws as shrapnel and accelerants to cause an explosion, according to the U.S. Attorney.

Prior to planting the device, Calvert placed stickers on various downtown buildings which had graphics advocating for various political ideologies, the U.S. Attorney said. Some stickers included the phrase “Support your local antifa.” As reflected in the plea agreement, Calvert claims he has no affiliation with antifa.

After placing the explosive device near the Attorney General’s Office, Calvert lit its fuse and fled the scene, the U.S. Attorney said.

As Action 8 News has reported, law enforcement arrested Calvert on April 10.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled for Calvert in the coming months. At that hearing, Calvert faces a minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison with no possibility of parole.