Evergreen Man Sentenced for Making Threats to Commit Mass Violence

DENVER - The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado announces that Kyle William Staebell, age 34, of Evergreen, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for making threats to commit mass violence.

According to the defendant's plea, in the early morning hours of January 16, 2023, the defendant threatened to commit mass violence at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office in Denver, an office of the Department of Homeland Security, and a Colorado-based performing arts group's location. Thanks to the swift investigative work of the FBI, the Denver Police Department, the Lakewood Police Department, and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the defendant was arrested that same day. Subsequent investigation revealed that, in the month before issuing the threats, the defendant went to each of the three locations in person, conducted online research regarding acts of mass violence, and possessed a Molotov cocktail.

"The Office of the United States Attorney of Colorado is committed to prosecuting individuals who threaten the safety and security of Coloradans," said U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado Cole Finegan. "We remain grateful to our law enforcement partners who were able to swiftly investigate this case and keep our communities safe."

"Free speech is protected by the First Amendment, but when speech crosses the line into threats of violence, it becomes a crime," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. "Violence and threats of violence have no place in our society, and this sentence demonstrates our resolve to disrupt plots to commit mass violence and keep our communities safe."

The FBI urges the public to report suspicious or threatening behavior to their local law enforcement or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or submitting a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov.

United States District Court Judge Daniel D. Domenico sentenced the defendant on May 1, 2024.

The FBI Denver Field Division conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Laura Cramer-Babycz handled the prosecution of the case.