Federal officials have apprehended a man who allegedly detonated an explosive device outside the Alabama Attorney General’s office in late February.
The Department of Justice reported that they detained Kyle Calvert, 26, of Irondale, Alabama, on Wednesday for the malicious use of an explosive and possession of an unregistered destructive weapon.
Investigators say the device exploded outside Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s Montgomery office on February 24 at around 3:42 a.m. According to investigators, no one was wounded, and the contents of the exploding device were discovered by the attorney general’s office staffers when they arrived at work the next morning.
Agents who recovered the exploded materials found the device in a coffee container-like vessel, packed with gasoline, a mortar, firecrackers, and nails “to increase its destructive capability,” according to court pleadings.
The FBI obtained surveillance film from the surrounding area showing the person applying stickers around Montgomery before planting the explosive device, according to court pleadings. According to the documents, one of the stickers stated “Support your local antifa,” while others said “EAT THE RICH,” “FEMINIST ACTION,” and “ABOLISH ICE.”
Investigators tracked down Calvert using a car they observed him in both before and after the incident, according to the documents. The investigators also compared surveillance footage from Calvert’s previous workplace to the suspect’s footage from the incident, discovering a similar “unique gait” in both. Calvert allegedly posted a photo on social media wearing goggles that were “identical” to those worn by the person who detonated the explosives, according to the affidavit.
Calvert allegedly used social media to express his “violent impulses” and dissatisfaction with the government, according to the documents. “How the f— are we not killing the government right now?” Calvert purportedly stated this in a video posted on December 12, 2023, according to the documents.
Investigators also spoke with Calvert’s most recent employer, who indicated that he was exhibiting “strange behavior” at work, according to the documents.
A grand jury indicted Calvert on Wednesday, leading to his arrest. He will be represented by a federal defender; however, the attorney’s name is not listed in the public records. ABC News left a message for the Federal Defenders in the Middle District of Alabama.
According to the DOJ, if convicted, Calvert faces a required minimum sentence of five years in prison and a potential punishment of twenty years.
There has been no revelation of a plausible motive.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement, “We are holding this defendant accountable for allegedly detonating an explosive device outside the Alabama Attorney General’s Office thanks to the work of the FBI and our state and local law enforcement partners.” “The Justice Department has no tolerance for acts of violence targeting those who serve the public.”
The Alabama attorney general expressed relief upon learning of the arrest.
Marshall stated in a written statement, “I believe it is safe to say that this was not a random act of violence, even though we will provide more information in the coming weeks.” “We are grateful to our federal and local partners for their assistance in this matter, and we are pleased that the offender faces federal charges that carry significant prison time.”
