A South Carolina man who attempted to breach the gate at the FBI’s Atlanta office last year pleaded guilty Monday, according to court documents.

Ervin Lee Bolling pleaded guilty to one count of destruction of government property related to the April 1, 2024 incident, records from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia show. The plea followed Bolling’s decision to waive indictment.

Bolling, who had previously been granted bond, was permitted to remain free with “no objections” from the government, according to a summary of Monday’s hearing. His sentencing will take place at a later date.

Charging documents state Bolling “willfully injured and committed a depredation against United States property,” causing more than $1,000 in damage to the “entry barrier and gate” at the FBI building on Flowers Road in Chamblee. He was charged under Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 1361, which covers destruction of government property, after crashing his orange Buick Encore into the gate.

After the attempted breach, officials said Bolling exited his vehicle and followed an FBI agent toward the building. He was taken into custody shortly afterward.

Bolling is a U.S. Navy veteran who served as an enlisted submarine warfare specialist for more than 20 years, according to military records. Between 1993 and 2017, he served on four submarines: USS Columbia, USS Albany, USS North Carolina and USS Alaska. He received several medals for good conduct and service in the global war on terrorism.

Public records indicate Bolling had no prior criminal history aside from a few speeding violations.

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