A 40-year-old San Antonio-area man is in federal custody after Texas Department of Public Safety officers and FBI agents disrupted an alleged plot to carry out a violent attack on the Texas State Capitol in Austin.
Benny Caldera Jr. of Converse, a community roughly 15 miles northeast of downtown San Antonio, was taken into custody by DPS SWAT officers at approximately 3 a.m. Wednesday at his home. The arrest came after authorities received credible information about a planned attack on the Capitol scheduled for Thursday October 1 2026.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, a friend of Caldera’s alerted DPS officers after Caldera allegedly made alarming statements about his intentions. The friend told investigators that Caldera said “I love you, if you don’t see me again” before declaring that he was going to the Capitol to “shoot it up.”
Court documents also indicate that Caldera expressed anger toward AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and made statements that investigators found deeply concerning regarding that organization’s members.
Caldera was initially booked into Bexar County Jail on a felony terroristic threat charge against a public servant with bond set at $75,000. Later Wednesday evening, the FBI arrested him a second time while he was still in Bexar County custody, transferring him into federal custody to face additional charges related to the alleged plot.
Court records from Bexar County show that Caldera previously faced a charge of unlicensed carrying of a weapon in November 2023.
Texas DPS confirmed that state legislators were personally notified about the threat and the subsequent arrest on Wednesday. Officials emphasized that the Texas State Capitol remains open and operating on its normal schedule.
DPS stated there is currently no indication of any continuing or additional threat to the Capitol building, lawmakers, staff, or the general public. However, law enforcement officers will maintain a heightened presence at the Capitol to ensure the safety of visitors, employees, and elected officials during the coming days.