SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man is facing multiple felony charges, including terrorism, after a joint law enforcement operation uncovered weapons, explosive materials, and extremist writings inside his northwest Bexar County home.
On Friday, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, with help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the San Antonio Police Department Bomb Squad, and the Bexar County Fire Marshal’s Office, executed a search warrant at a home on Oracle Drive and arrested 39-year-old Nathan James Henderson.
The search followed a credible tip alleging Henderson had made threats to carry out mass violence and had explosive devices. The tip also referenced a homemade detonator and threatening statements targeting people based on race, religion, and government affiliation.
Investigators discovered a significant collection of firearms and ammunition, along with chemicals and items commonly used to create improvised explosive devices in the home. Also found were 24 grenades, nearly 100 metal cylinders believed to be intended for manufacturing blasting caps, and a homemade igniter with remote detonation capability. Notebooks recovered from the home contained extremist ideology and vague plans to disrupt public venues.
Bomb technicians and fire investigators later confirmed that several of the grenades had been partially constructed, indicating the suspect was actively experimenting with explosives.
Henderson was arrested and is now facing several charges, including possession of explosive components, prohibited weapons, hoax bombs, and terrorism. The terrorism charge is the first of its kind filed by BCSO under Texas’s recently enacted terrorism law. Under that statute, terrorism is classified as a first-degree felony, carrying a potential sentence of 5 to 99 years or life in prison.