An Alabama man has pleaded guilty to detonating an explosive device outside of the state attorney general's office in downtown Montgomery. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 24, when Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert set off a bomb made of nails, firecrackers, and screws. Fortunately, no individuals were harmed, and nearby buildings remained undamaged.
The explosive device was not discovered until Monday, Feb. 26, leading to the subsequent arrest of Calvert by law enforcement two weeks later. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that public servants should never be targeted for carrying out their duties, stating that such conduct will not be tolerated by the Justice Department.
Calvert, aged 26, has pleaded guilty in federal court to the malicious use of an explosive device. He now faces a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison, with no possibility of parole. Despite the presence of stickers reflecting various political ideologies in the vicinity, including some mentioning 'Support your local antifa,' the plea deal signed by Calvert explicitly states that he has no affiliation with antifa.
A sentencing hearing for Calvert is set to be scheduled in the coming months. The Justice Department has vowed to utilize all available resources to prevent such attacks and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
