By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Texas and federal authorities arrested a San Antonio-area man accused of planning a violent attack on the Texas State Capitol in Austin after investigators received what the Texas Department of Public Safety described as credible information about a threat scheduled for Oct. 1.
Benny Caldera Jr., 40, was arrested at about 3 a.m. Wednesday at his home in Converse, northeast of San Antonio, after DPS Criminal Investigations Division agents worked overnight with the FBI and local law enforcement. DPS said its SWAT team took Caldera into custody without incident after investigators identified him and determined his location.
The Texas Department of Public Safety announced the arrest, saying authorities had received information Tuesday about an individual planning a violent attack on the Capitol. Caldera was initially transported to the Bexar County Jail and charged with making a terroristic threat against a public servant, a felony.
Arrest documents provided additional details about the alleged threat. According to an NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth report, a friend told investigators that Caldera had made verbal threats involving the Capitol and allegedly said, “I am going to the Capitol, and I am going to shoot it up.”
The acquaintance also told investigators that Caldera expressed anger toward the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, and allegedly said, “these people have to be exterminated.” The allegations are contained in arrest documents and have not been adjudicated in court.
Gov. Greg Abbott praised the agencies involved after the arrest, saying, “Texas DPS and the FBI stopped a planned attack on the Texas Capitol. Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol. Thank you, TxDPS, for a job well done.”
DPS notified Texas lawmakers about the threat and arrest and increased security around the Capitol as investigators continued examining the case. The building remained open during normal operating hours.
FBI Director Kash Patel also credited the cooperation between federal, state and local authorities, saying the suspect was located within hours of officials receiving the tip.
“Outstanding work by @TxDPS. Proud of our @FBISanAntonio team for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our state and local partners. Within HOURS of tip, @TxDPS had the main suspect in custody with @FBISanAntonio and local law enforcement assisting,” Patel said on X.
Caldera’s custody status caused some confusion Wednesday after Bexar County records indicated a $75,000 bond on the state charge. DPS later clarified that he had not been released back into the community.
The FBI arrested Caldera at the Bexar County Jail Wednesday evening to face additional federal charges connected to the alleged Capitol plot, and he was transferred directly from county custody into federal custody.
“Benny Caldera was arrested late this evening by the FBI at the Bexar Co. Jail to face additional federal charges in connection with a possible planned attack at the Texas State Capitol. Caldera Jr. was then released from the Bexar Co. Jail into federal custody, where he will remain. He is not out on bond,” DPS said.
The agency added: “At this time, there is no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat to the Texas State Capitol. DPS will continue an increased posture at the Texas Capitol and encourages ALL Texans to remain vigilant.”
Authorities have not publicly detailed the federal charges Caldera faces, and the investigation remains active. Officials also have released little additional information about how any alleged attack was to be carried out or whether weapons or other materials were recovered during the arrest.
The allegations against Caldera remain accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. For now, DPS says there is no continuing threat to the Capitol, while state and federal investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged Oct. 1 attack plan.
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