Army Veteran Sentenced to Two Years for Training Neo-Nazis, Possessing Illegal Weapons

An Army veteran has received a two-year federal prison sentence after admitting to unlawful possession of a machine gun and having an unregistered firearm. The man provided tactical training to white supremacist and Neo-Nazi groups.

Kyle Christopher Benton, 29, from Snohomish, Washington, was taken into custody in late 2024. Prosecutors characterized him as an individual driven by a desire for rapid change, utilizing his military background and arsenal of weapons to integrate himself into violent extremist groups. Benton was a member of the U.S. Army from 2017 to 2020, serving with the 10th Mountain Division. He completed one combat deployment but was discharged after an investigation into threats made against his wife.

During the arrest, federal agents seized a fully automatic M16 along with two rifles that had been modified with barrels shorter than 16 inches, one of which was not registered. Photos presented in court depicted Benton clad in military attire and a skull mask, brandishing high-powered firearms.

“You not only possessed extremely dangerous firearms illegally, but you also boasted about it and conducted firearms training for others while doing so,” stated U.S. District Judge Tana Lin during Benton’s sentencing on July 16.

Court documents reveal that Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Wynne outlined Benton’s involvement with extremist organizations that advocate for racial and ethnic violence. Benton's social media profiles showcased content that was anti-Semitic, aligned with white supremacy, and promoted violence. He also participated in several rallies promoting hate throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Authorities have linked Benton to multiple far-right extremist groups, including the Order of Nine Angles, which is known for its combination of neo-Nazi beliefs and Satanism, as well as Terrorgram, a group of accelerationist extremists that organize via the Telegram messaging platform. Benton expressed admiration for mass shootings and advocated for the establishment of a white ethnostate in the Pacific Northwest.

Benton, who entered a guilty plea in March, asserted in a letter to the court that his behavior was shaped by post-traumatic stress disorder and personal challenges stemming from his military service. He expressed regret and declared his renunciation of radical ideologies.

Benton’s case highlights significant worries regarding the radicalization of military veterans, a rising concern that has captured the interest of federal law enforcement agencies. Recently, active and former service members have faced charges for their involvement in schemes or actions aimed at infrastructure, law enforcement, and military targets, driven by extremist beliefs.

The sentencing highlights ongoing federal initiatives to address far-right domestic terrorism, mainly when supported by those with military backgrounds.

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