A Texas man accused of planning to shoot up the Texas State Capitol is now in federal custody, and his arrest warrant says he was angry at AIPAC, a group that lobbies Congress in support of Israel.
Story Snapshot
- Benny Caldera Jr., 40, of Converse was arrested by a state SWAT team about 3 a.m. Wednesday, September 30.
- He posted a $75,000 bond in the state case, and the FBI took him into federal custody that evening.
- The Texas Department of Public Safety says he is not out on bond.
- The warrant affidavit quotes him: “I am going to the Capitol and I am going to shoot it up.”
Overnight Arrest After “Credible” Capitol Threat
The Texas Department of Public Safety said it received “credible information” Tuesday evening about “an individual planning a violent attack on the Capitol for Oct. 1.” State troopers, a SWAT team and local police moved before dawn. They arrested Caldera at his home in Converse, near San Antonio. He was booked into the Bexar County Jail and charged with making a terroristic threat against a public servant, a felony under Texas law.
The arrest warrant affidavit, a sworn statement officers file to get a warrant, says Caldera was angry at AIPAC. That is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel group that lobbies Congress. According to the affidavit, he declared that “these people have to be exterminated.” Officials have not said what set off that anger.
What The Warrant Says He Said
The affidavit says a friend told officers that Caldera said, “I am going to the Capitol and I am going to shoot it up.” The friend also recalled him saying, “I love you, if you don’t see me again.” The tip named a date only two days away. Officers moved within hours and made the arrest in the middle of the night.
Reports say Caldera faced an earlier charge of carrying a weapon without a license in November 2023. A search of his Converse-area home turned up a loaded shotgun and a loaded revolver with its serial number filed off, according to court documents.
From State Jail To Federal Custody
Caldera posted a $75,000 bond in the state case Wednesday morning, according to reports. Late that evening, the FBI arrested him at the Bexar County Jail to face more federal charges tied to the planned attack. He was then released from the county jail straight into federal custody. A Department of Public Safety spokesperson said, “Caldera is NOT out on bond. He was transferred to the FBI to be held in federal custody.”
On Thursday, October 1, federal prosecutors charged Caldera with possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number, meaning the gun’s ID number had been filed off. The charge carries up to five years in federal prison. Gov. Greg Abbott said, “Texas DPS and the FBI stopped a planned attack on the Texas Capitol.” The department says it has no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat. The Capitol stayed open with more security on hand.
Sources:
thegatewaypundit.com, cbsaustin.com, upi.com, nbcnews.com, abc7news.com, cnn.com, fox7austin.com, thehill.com, timesnownews.com, newscord.org