A Texas man who was arrested for posing a “credible threat” to the state Capitol was released on bond Wednesday, just hours after he was first taken into custody.
Benny Caldera Jr. was arrested at his home northeast of San Antonio at 3 a.m. on Wednesday after the Texas Department of Public Safety received a tip that Caldera was planning to attack the Capitol. Just before 7 a.m., Caldera was released from Bexar County Jail on a $75,000 bond, according to county records.
Caldera reportedly told a friend he was going to “shoot up” the building while lawmakers were inside on Oct. 1. Texas DPS, alongside the FBI, then arrested Caldera at his home and transported him to the Bexar County Jail and charged him with felony terroristic threat against a public servant.
FBI Director Kash Patel commended the work of federal and local law enforcement for moving quickly on the tip and apprehending Caldera.
“Outstanding work by @TxDPS,” Patel said in an X post. “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.”
According to Bexar County court records, Caldera was previously arrested on misdemeanor charges in 2023 and 2024 for the unlawful carry of a weapon.
CORNELL PRESIDENT AGREES TO THIRD-PARTY GANG RAPE INVESTIGATION, HOCHUL SAYS
The tip about Caldera that Texas DPS received reportedly implied there were co-conspirators, but no other arrests have been made. However, Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw sent an email to Capitol staff referring to Caldera as the “main suspect,” according to the Texas Tribune.
Patel said the investigation remains ongoing, and state officials said there would be increased security at the building as a precaution.
Continue reading...
[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
