An Irondale man who placed and detonated a shrapnel-filled explosive device outside the Alabama Attorney General’s Office in Montgomery has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison.
Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 27, admitted during his plea hearing that he manufactured the explosive device using nails and screws as shrapnel. After setting the explosive device near the AG’s Office, Calvert lit its fuse and left the area before the explosion. There were no injuries from the incident.
Prior to the explosion, Calvert placed stickers with graphics including phrases like “Support your local Antifa” on other buildings in the area of the AG’s office. In his plea agreement, Calvert claimed no affiliation with the group.
“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,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.
“Acts of violence like this one against our public institutions endanger public servants and entire communities, and they 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.”
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Directors from both the FBI and ATF commented on the prison sentence handed down to Calvert.
“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 Chris Wray. “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.”
“Today’s sentencing shows 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,” Director Steven Dettelbach of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said. “The sentence handed down today reflects not only the severity of the crime, but also ATF’s commitment to working with our federal, state, and local partners to hold those who attack American institutions accountable.”
Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson praised the law enforcement organizations involved in the operation.
“This prosecution would not have been possible if not for the coordinated efforts of numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies,” Davidson emphasized. “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.”
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
