Kyle Benton Sentenced for Illegal Gun Possession, Training Extremist Groups

Seattle – Kyle Christopher Benton, a 29-year-old Army veteran, was handed a two-year prison sentence Wednesday in U.S. District Court for illegal gun possession and providing tactical training to extremist groups. The charges stem from an investigation into Benton’s activities involving high-powered weapons both online and offline.

Benton possessed unregistered short barrel rifles and machineguns, capable of firing multiple rounds with a single trigger pull. He used these weapons to bolster his standing with various racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist groups that espouse white supremacy. The sentence was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller.

At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Tana Lin emphasized Benton’s dangerous behavior, stating, ‘You not only illegally possessed extremely dangerous firearms, but you bragged about it and put on firearms trainings for others while doing so.’

The investigation into Benton began after his discharge from the United States Army, following allegations of threatening to kill his wife. Records show that Benton operated multiple social media accounts where he posted violent extremist content, neo-Nazi propaganda, and anti-Semitic materials. He also participated in hate rallies and other gatherings in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

In a shocking turn, law enforcement seized an M16 rifle resembling an automatic firearm, an uninstalled drop-in auto sear, and two rifles with barrel lengths less than 16 inches from Benton’s Snohomish home. These guns are required to be registered under the National Firearms Act. Benton pleaded guilty on March 28, 2025, to Unlawful Possession of a Machinegun and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm.

Assistant United States Attorney Brian Wynne argued for a 30-month sentence, noting that Benton used his military experience to establish himself within these groups. He stated, ‘While in possession of these weapons, he was actively engaged with groups encouraging racially or ethnically motivated violence and white supremacy.’ In a surprising development, Benton has since disavowed his white supremacist views.

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