A man from the San Antonio area has been arrested over an alleged plan to carry out a Texas Capitol attack in Austin, authorities said. Benny Caldera Jr, 40, was detained at his home in Converse after the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) received what it described as credible information about a planned assault.
DPS said the alleged attack was due to take place on Thursday, October 1. The agency worked with the FBI and local partners before arresting Caldera at about 3am on Wednesday.
Court documents allege that Caldera told another person on September 29 that he was going to the Capitol to “shoot it up”. He was also accused of expressing anger towards the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, known as AIPAC.
The criminal complaint alleges that he said of AIPAC: “These people have to be exterminated.” It also claims that, during a recorded conversation, Caldera said he had made up his mind and had said goodbye to his parents.
During a search of his home, agents from the DPS Criminal Investigation Division allegedly found a .357 revolver loaded with six rounds and a 12-gauge shotgun in a wardrobe in the main bedroom. Six 9mm rounds were also allegedly recovered, while the serial number on the revolver appeared to have been filed off, according to the complaint.
Caldera faces a state charge of making a terroristic threat against a public servant. He has also been charged federally with possessing a firearm whose serial number had been obliterated.
He was transferred from Bexar County Jail into federal custody on Wednesday and will remain there, according to DPS. A federal district court judge will decide any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
DPS said its leadership notified state lawmakers about the alleged threat and arrest. The Texas Capitol remained open during its normal operating hours, although the department said it would maintain an increased security posture to protect employees, visitors and state officials.
The FBI is investigating.
