Austin, Texas — Texas authorities and federal agents arrested a man identified as the prime suspect in an alleged plot to violently attack the Texas Capitol in Austin.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported that on
Tuesday night, September 29, it received credible information about an
individual allegedly planning an attack on the Capitol on Thursday, October 1.
Agents from the DPS Criminal Investigations Division worked
through the early morning hours with the FBI and local law enforcement agencies
to identify the suspect. Around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday, a SWAT team arrested
40-year-old Benny Caldera Jr. at his home in Converse, a town near San Antonio.
Caldera was initially taken to the Bexar County Jail, where
he was charged with a felony for making terroristic threats against a public
servant.
According to court documents later released, an acquaintance
of the suspect alerted authorities after Caldera allegedly expressed his
intention to go to the Capitol and carry out an attack. Investigators also
noted that the man had expressed anger toward the American Israel Public
Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
During a search of his residence, agents allegedly located a
loaded .357 caliber revolver, a 12-gauge shotgun, and 9mm ammunition. The
Department of Justice indicated that the revolver's serial number had been
altered or removed.
The case was subsequently transferred to federal
jurisdiction. The Department of Justice reported that Caldera was arrested by
the FBI to face additional federal charges related to the firearm possession.