The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has confirmed the arrest of a suspect linked to a credible threat against the Texas Capitol, scheduled for Thursday. The threat is believed to have been orchestrated by Benny Caldera Jr., 40, along with several co-conspirators.
DPS officials revealed that they collaborated with the FBI and local law enforcement to apprehend Caldera at his home in Converse, a city located just outside of San Antonio, early Wednesday morning around 3 a.m. He has been charged with making a felony terroristic threat against a public servant and is being held at the Bexar County Jail with a bond set at $75,000.
Records indicate that Caldera has faced charges for unlawfully carrying a weapon in Bexar County in both 2023 and 2024. The alarming news regarding the potential attack was initially communicated to members of the Texas Senate. State Senator Paul Bettencourt noted that there are speculations regarding the involvement of additional conspirators, though no further charges have been made at this time.
Bettencourt emphasized the rapid response of law enforcement, stating, “They don’t know anything about motive, who, what, when, where, yet. Literally, just within a few hours of the tip, they had the potential perpetrator in custody.”
The DPS has announced that its investigation into the threat is ongoing and plans to maintain an increased security presence at the Capitol in light of these events.
