Authorities Launch Overnight Investigation Into Alleged Plot
The investigation began Tuesday evening after Texas DPS received information about a potential threat against the Capitol.
In a statement describing the incident, the department said it had received “credible information about an individual planning a violent attack”.
That information immediately triggered a coordinated response involving state investigators, federal agents, and local police.
Officials worked through the night to identify the suspect, investigate the alleged threat, and take steps to prevent a possible attack.
By approximately 3 a.m. Wednesday, members of a SWAT team had moved in on Caldera’s residence in Converse, a community near San Antonio.
Officers took Caldera into custody without the publicly reported need for a prolonged standoff. He was subsequently transported to the Bexar County Jail, where he initially faced a state felony charge of making a terroristic threat against a public servant.
The arrest came just one day before the date authorities said the alleged attack was supposed to take place.
While investigators have not publicly disclosed every detail of the suspected plan, the reported threats were serious enough to prompt an immediate, multi-agency operation.
Alleged Threats Targeted Capitol and AIPAC
The allegations outlined in the arrest affidavit paint a troubling picture of the statements investigators believe Caldera made before his arrest.
NBC 5 reported that a friend told authorities Caldera had threatened to open fire at the Texas Capitol.
The same witness allegedly said Caldera expressed hostility toward individuals associated with AIPAC, stating that they needed to be exterminated.
Those statements form a central part of the reported investigation into the alleged plot.
AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is a prominent organization that advocates for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. However, authorities have not publicly established that the organization itself was the intended target of the alleged Capitol attack.
The reported remarks are part of the evidence investigators are examining as they work to establish the suspect’s intentions and determine the full scope of the alleged plan.
At this stage, the allegations remain accusations. Caldera has not been convicted of the offenses connected to the reported plot.
FBI Takes Suspect Into Federal Custody
Following Caldera’s initial arrest, he was booked into the Bexar County Jail on the state charge.
Bond was set at $75,000, raising questions about his custody status after reports circulated that he might have been released.
Texas DPS subsequently pushed back against those reports, clarifying that Caldera was not out on bond.
The situation changed Wednesday evening when FBI agents arrested him at the county jail on additional federal charges related to the alleged attack plot.
He was then transferred into federal custody.
Federal authorities have not publicly disclosed the specific charges filed against Caldera, leaving some details of the case unclear.
Nevertheless, the FBI’s involvement and the additional federal charges mark a significant development in an investigation that began with a reported threat against one of Texas’ most prominent government buildings.
Previous Weapons Charge Emerges
The latest allegations are not the first time Caldera has faced a weapons-related case.
According to NBC 5, Bexar County court records show that he was charged in November 2023 with unlawfully carrying a weapon without a license.
The station did not report the outcome of that earlier case, and the available information does not establish whether it resulted in a conviction.
Investigators have not publicly explained whether the previous charge has any direct connection to the current allegations.
The earlier case may nevertheless become a point of interest as authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged plot.
Capitol Remains Open Under Heightened Security
The reported threat prompted officials to notify Texas lawmakers about the investigation and Caldera’s arrest on Wednesday.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the Texas State Capitol remains open to the public during its regular operating hours.
Security measures have been increased as a precaution while authorities continue investigating.
Texas DPS has also sought to reassure lawmakers, Capitol employees, and visitors that the immediate danger appears to have been addressed.
According to the department, there is no reason to believe an ongoing threat remains against the Capitol, legislators, staff members, or the public.
That assessment follows the overnight operation that led to Caldera’s arrest and his subsequent transfer into federal custody.
Authorities have not indicated that additional suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the alleged plot.
For now, investigators are continuing to examine the evidence, the reported threats, and the circumstances surrounding the planned date of the attack.
The case remains under investigation, and further details could emerge as federal authorities disclose the charges and evidence against Caldera.
The central question now is what investigators will uncover about the alleged plan, including whether the suspect had taken any concrete steps toward carrying it out. For the moment, officials say the Capitol remains open, security has been heightened, and there is no known continuing threat to the public.
