A 20-year-old New Braunfels man has pleaded guilty in federal court in San Antonio after authorities intercepted his plans for mass murder attack. Cameron Darrick Peterson faces up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine for attempting to acquire a firearm for a felony. Court documents detail his actions from November 2022 until his arrest in June 2024, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.
Peterson attempted to buy a shotgun from a local pawn shop twice—first a 12-gauge on January 4 and then an assault weapon-style shotgun on May 31—but was denied both times due to his age and the type of firearm. These attempts raised concerns that caught the attention of the FBI. An arrest warrant was issued, and on June 5, Peterson was taken into custody by the New Braunfels Police Department. His home was found to contain an illegally modified .22 caliber rifle and multiple loaded magazines, as reported by the United States Attorney’s Office.
Further investigation into Peterson's Instagram account and belongings revealed evidence of planned attacks on a gas station and a grocery store. This was discovered after a search warrant was issued on June 6, the day after his arrest, and it played a key role in his prosecution. Searches on June 10 found materials for making explosive devices, including an aerosol container classified as an Improvised Explosive Device. These findings showed the potential danger of his plans. The efforts of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the San Antonio Fire Department, the New Braunfels Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were crucial in ensuring public safety, as stated by the United States Attorney’s Office.
Peterson's sentencing is scheduled for February 5, 2025. A federal district court judge will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors in determining the outcome. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mark Roomberg and Eric Yuen, reflecting the ongoing efforts needed to ensure public safety. For more details, the U.S. Attorney’s office has provided a full statement, as mentioned by the United States Attorney’s Office.
