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A Texas man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly planning to attack the Texas State Capitol, officials said.
Benny Caldera Jr., 40, was arrested early Wednesday morning at his home in Converse, Texas. He was charged with the misdemeanor of making a terroristic threat to a public servant and taken to the Bexar County Jail.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a news release that it received “credible information” Tuesday about someone planning a “violent attack” Thursday on the Capitol.
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Benny Caldera Jr. was charged with making a terrorist threat against a public servant. (Bexar County Jail; Getty Images)
DPS special agents worked alongside the FBI and local law enforcement to investigate the threat.
Around 3 a.m. Wednesday, DPS SWAT arrested Caldera, who the agency described as the “prime suspect,” at his home and transported him to jail.
“Outstanding work by @TxDPS. Proud of our @FBISanAntonio team for standing with our state and local partners. Within hours of the tip, @TxDPS had the main suspect in custody – with the help of @FBISanAntonio and local law enforcement. Threatening Americans or our institutions and law enforcement will act FAST,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X.
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The Texas Department of Public Safety said it received “credible information” about someone planning a “violent attack” on the Capitol on Thursday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, file)
Caldera was initially released on $75,000 bond from the Bexar County Jail. Later Wednesday, however, DPS said he had been taken into federal custody by the FBI to face additional federal charges. Authorities have not yet released details of the charges.
“Late this evening, Benny Caldera Jr., 40, was arrested 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 subsequently released from the Bexar Co. Jail and placed in federal custody, where he will remain. If you have any questions about the federal case, we will direct you to the FBI,” said DPS spokesman Kevin Cooper, in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Officials have not specified details of the alleged planned attack or the nature of the credible information they received. DPS has also not publicly identified any other suspects.
DPS leaders also informed Texas state lawmakers about the threat and Caldera’s arrest. The agency said the Capitol remains open during normal operating hours.
DPS will have an increased presence at the Capitol to protect employees, state officials and visitors.
DPS special agents worked alongside the FBI and local law enforcement to investigate the threat. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
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The incident remains under investigation.
“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,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote on X.
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