New Braunfels man pleads guilty after court documents allege he planned multiple mass attacks

SAN ANTONIO – A 20-year-old New Braunfels man pleaded guilty to attempting to obtain and use a firearm to commit a felony.

The Justice Department, citing court documents, claims Cameron Darrick Peterson has been planning mass shootings since November 2022.

In January 2024, the Justice Department said Peterson walked into a New Braunfels pawn shop and attempted to buy a 12-gauge shotgun.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas said Peterson was denied a required background check because of his age and the type of gun he wanted to buy.

Four months later, on May 31, Peterson returned to the same pawn shop and attempted to purchase a 12-gauge shotgun, which resembles an assault weapon. Officials said the pawn shop turned Peterson away a second time.

Five days after Peterson was turned away from the pawn shop for the second time, FBI agents issued a warrant for Peterson’s arrest. The Department of Justice said New Braunfels police took Peterson into custody.

As part of a federal search warrant for Peterson and his home, FBI agents found a modified .22-caliber long rifle with the stock cut off and six 60-round magazines, court records show.

On June 6, agents said they later discovered Peterson’s Instagram account where he made statements about the attack at the gas station. Also that day, investigators said Peterson was recorded from jail asking a witness to hide or destroy possibly incriminating videotape.

According to the Department of Justice, Peterson filmed himself inspecting the grocery store for a potential future attack.

During a search of his home on June 10, investigators said they classified one of the 11 aerosol canisters they found as an improvised explosive device (IED). The IED was not registered with the National Firearms Registry because of Peterson’s age, records show.

Peterson’s sentencing date is set for February 5, 2025. He faces up to 10 years in prison and may also be required to pay a fine of $250,000.

Officials said a federal district court judge will determine Peterson’s sentence after they consider U.S. sentencing guidelines and other factors.