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A Texas man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly planning to attack the Texas State Capitol, according to officials.
Benny Caldera Jr., 40, was taken into custody early Wednesday morning at his home in Converse, Texas. He was charged with the felony offense of making a terroristic threat against a public servant and taken to the Bexar County Jail.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a news release it received “credible information” Tuesday about someone plotting a “violent attack” for Thursday on the Capitol.
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Benny Caldera Jr. was charged with felony terroristic threat against a public servant. (Bexar County Jail; Getty Images)
DPS special agents worked alongside the FBI and local law enforcement agencies to investigate the threat.
Around 3 a.m. Wednesday, DPS SWAT arrested Caldera, who the agency described as the “main suspect,” at his home and transported him to jail.
“Outstanding work by @TxDPS. Proud of our @FBISanAntonio team for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our state and local partners. Within HOURS of the tip, @TxDPS had the main suspect in custody — with @FBISanAntonio and local law enforcement assisting. Threaten Americans or our institutions and law enforcement will move 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 plotting a “violent attack” for Thursday on the Capitol. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Caldera was initially released on a $75,000 bond from the Bexar County Jail. Later Wednesday, however, DPS said he was taken into federal custody by the FBI to face additional federal charges. Officials have not yet released details about those 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 then released from the Bexar Co. Jail into federal custody, where he will remain. For questions about the federal case, we would direct you to the FBI,” DPS spokesperson Kevin Cooper said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
Officials did not outline the specifics of the alleged planned attack or the nature of the credible information they received. DPS also has not publicly identified any additional suspects.
DPS leadership also notified Texas state legislators about the threat and Caldera’s arrest. The agency said the Capitol remained open for regular 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 officials 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 Gov. Greg Abbott wrote on X.
