Evergreen Man Sentenced for Mass Violence Threats

A 34-year-old Evergreen man has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for making threats to commit mass violence, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced.

Kyle William Staebell was sentenced on May 1, 2024, after pleading guilty to threatening 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.

The threats were made in the early morning hours of January 16, 2023. Staebell, who had previously visited each of the three locations in person, conducted online research regarding acts of mass violence, and possessed a Molotov cocktail, was arrested the same day thanks to the swift investigative work of the FBI, Denver Police Department, Lakewood Police Department, and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

“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 Cole Finegan. “We remain grateful to our law enforcement partners who were able to swiftly investigate this case and keep our communities safe.”

The FBI also weighed in on the case, with Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek stating, “Free speech is protected by the First Amendment, but when speech crosses the line into threats of violence, it becomes a crime. 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.

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

Kyle Staebell’s sentence of 21 months in prison serves as a harsh reminder of the consequences of making threats of violence. The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to the authorities.