A 40-year-old man was arrested Wednesday morning on suspicion of plotting to attack the Texas state capitol, authorities said.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement it received “credible information of an individual planning a violent attack” Thursday in Austin.
The information came in Tuesday evening and SWAT agents made the arrest around 3 a.m. Wednesday at a residence in Converse, Texas, near San Antonio.
Benny Caldera Jr was jailed on $75,000 bail. He could face charges including making a terrorist threat against a public official, officials said in a statement. Messages were left seeking comment from an attorney listed for Caldera.
Authorities have not provided details about the alleged plot, citing the ongoing investigation. Public safety officials notified state lawmakers of the threat and arrest Wednesday morning. The Capitol remained open during normal operating hours.
Texas Senate Secretary Patsy Spaw said in a statement that security would be increased at the Capitol during the investigation.
Gov. Greg Abbott said state DPS was assisted by the FBI in making the arrest.
“Texas will NOT tolerate threats of violence against our Capitol,” the governor said in a statement on social media.
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