Federal prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for Kevin Alexander Hunt, who pleaded guilty earlier this year in connection with a failed plot to bomb Canyon’s annual Fourth of July parade in 2025.
Court filings show Hunt’s final sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 3, but a disagreement over the potential punishment has prompted his defense attorney to request additional time to prepare.
Hunt pleaded guilty to attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, a federal charge stemming from the planned attack on the holiday parade.
According to a motion filed in federal court, Hunt’s attorney said she was surprised to learn that prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office intended to pursue a life sentence.
The defense attorney explained that she had developed her strategy based on the understanding that Hunt would receive a sentence within a range established by federal sentencing guidelines. That anticipated punishment would have been considerably less than life in prison.
She also believed federal prosecutors would not seek a harsher sentence because Hunt still faces three felony charges in Randall County related to the same alleged plot.
A Randall County grand jury previously indicted Hunt on the following charges:
- Terrorism: A first-degree felony carrying a possible sentence of five years to life in prison.
- Attempted capital murder of multiple persons: A first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison.
- Possession of components of explosives: A third-degree felony carrying a possible sentence of two to 10 years in prison.
The possibility of a life sentence in federal court has now forced Hunt’s defense team to reconsider its approach.
His attorney argued that the change in expectations significantly affected her preparation and requested an additional 90 days to revise the defense strategy ahead of sentencing.
U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk granted part of that request, allowing the defense an additional 30 days rather than the full three months sought.
The final federal sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 3 at 10 a.m., according to the provided court information.
Meanwhile, Hunt’s legal troubles in Randall County remain unresolved.
According to the case report, his next hearing on the state charges is scheduled for April 2027.
Although Hunt has already admitted guilt in federal court, the length of his prison sentence remains undecided. Prosecutors are pushing for life behind bars, while his defense attorney is preparing arguments against that punishment.
