Benny Caldera Jr. arrested in alleged Texas State Capitol attack plot

Texas State Capitol terroristic threat Benny Caldera Jr. Texas Department of Public Safety planned attack

Benny Caldera Jr., 40, was arrested by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) SWAT team in Converse following a credible threat to attack the Texas State Capitol on October 1.

Authorities, working alongside the FBI and local law enforcement, intercepted information regarding a planned violent attack. Court documents indicate Caldera allegedly told a friend, “I am going to the Capitol and I am going to shoot it up.” He has been charged with a felony for terroristic threat against a public servant and was booked into the Bexar County Jail.

Caldera was released on a $75,000 bond and is expected to be fitted with a GPS tracker. Texas Governor Greg Abbott thanked the DPS and FBI for stopping the planned attack, while state officials noted that the investigation into potential co-conspirators is ongoing. Security presence at the Capitol has been increased as a precaution.