Alabama man sentenced to jail for serving to a good friend bomb his ex’s truck in a custody dispute

A 48-year-old man has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in the 2017 bombing of his friend’s truck.

A federal judge sentenced Sylvio Joseph King to nine years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy and malicious use of an explosive device. His girlfriend, Ashley Nicole Haydt, 36, was convicted of the same charge last month.

King testified against Haydt during her trial.

According to authorities, King worked with Haydt at the Wiregrass Rehabilitation Center in Dothan and the two developed a friendship. Haydt told King about her relationship and custody problems with a former friend.

Haydt frequently shared her hatred of the ex-boyfriend with King King and how the custody battle affected her and her other children, federal officials said.

Evidence presented at Haydt’s trial showed that she gave King the address of her ex-boyfriend. King worked with Haydt when he bought gunpowder, a pipe, and other supplies to make a remote-controlled bomb.

In the early hours of October 23, 2017, King placed an explosive device in the ex-employee’s work truck and detonated the bomb while the victim drove to work.

King then sent Haydt a message saying he had “taken care of the problem.” However, the victim survived.

Haydt was convicted of her role in the conspiracy after a four-day trial in October. Their verdict is scheduled for February 1, 2022.

The case has been investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Dothan Police Department, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, with assistance from the FBI and the Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office.

U.S. Assistant Attorneys Brandon Bates and Chelsea Phillips are pursuing the case.