A man with suspected Antifa sympathies in Irondale, Alabama, pleaded guilty to detonating an explosive device filled with nails outside the Alabama Attorney General’s Office earlier this year. Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 26, admitted to manufacturing the device himself using items such as nails and screws as shrapnel and accelerants to cause an explosion. Law enforcement arrested Calvert on April 10 after he fled the scene of the explosion he set off during the early morning hours of Feb. 24. The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Calvert faces between five and 20 years in prison.
Despite placing Antifa stickers near the scene of the crime, Calvert claims he has no affiliation with the far-left militant movement that views itself as a descendant of European anti-Nazi movements. He had posted Antifa content on social media and expressed his belief that violence should be directed against the government. Court documents noted that Calvert was considered “dangerous” as he described his inability to control his violent, aggressive impulses. Some of the stickers allegedly posted by Calvert around the area called to “ABOLISH PRIVATE PROPERTY” and “EAT THE RICH,” among others. The “A” inside the word “EAT” was in the shape of the anarchy symbol. Other stickers reportedly read “DEATH TO FASCISM,” “ARM THE HOMELESS,” “F–K WORK LET’S RIOT!” and “NEVER WORK.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned Calvert’s actions, stating that public servants should never be targeted for doing their jobs. Garland emphasized that the Justice Department will use every resource at its disposal to prevent such attacks and hold perpetrators accountable. ATF Director Steven Dettelbach also criticized Calvert’s attack on the American justice system, stating that violent, targeted attacks aim to harm civil servants and public officials who serve communities. Dettelbach commended the work of the ATF and other federal and local partners in bringing Calvert to justice. Calvert’s guilty plea to using an explosive device near the Alabama Attorney General’s Office did not result in any reported injuries.
The incident involving Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert’s detonation of an explosive device near the Alabama Attorney General’s Office highlights the dangers of individuals who embrace violent ideologies and take direct action to further their beliefs. Calvert’s plea of guilty to the malicious use of an explosive device underscores the severity of his actions and their potential impact. The FBI’s investigation into the case, with assistance from the ATF, is crucial in determining the extent of the threat posed by individuals like Calvert who seek to use violence to further their ideological goals. The plea hearing also shed light on Calvert’s previous expressions of violent views on social media and his active participation in distributing Antifa-related content.
The Department of Justice’s response to the incident involving Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert underscores its commitment to preventing attacks on public institutions and holding perpetrators accountable. Calvert’s actions, which endangered public servants and members of the community, have been condemned by law enforcement officials as well as the Justice Department. The presence of Antifa-related content at the scene of the crime and Calvert’s previous expressions of violent beliefs highlight the need for vigilance in identifying and addressing individuals who may pose a threat to public safety. The collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting individuals like Calvert is essential in maintaining the safety and security of communities across the country.
