BURLESON (WBAP/KLIF News ) – A Burleson man who law enforcement said was obsessed with high-profile mass shootings, and idolized the 1999 Columbine high school shooters, has pleaded guilty in federal court to weapon and child porn charges.
22-year-old Noah Calderon admitted possessing a homemade bomb, and having pornographic pictures of children on his cellphone.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said he made the guilty plea on one county of possession of an unregistered firearm and one count of receipt of child pornography.
“This defendant’s obsession with mass shooters put him squarely on the Justice Department’s radar. When he violated the law, we took immediate action, potentially thwarting an act of violence,” said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. “The discovery of one crime, possession of an unregistered firearm, led to the discovery of another, possession of child pornography. We are proud to hold him accountable for both.”
Authorities arrested Calderon in April after federal agents executed a search warrant on his home. Investigators began looking into him in October 22 after the FBI received a tip about his social media activity.
FBI agents also received a tip in March 2023 that Calderon detonated a homemade explosive at his Burleson residence.
Officials said the tip was bolstered by several 911 calls at the time about a loud sound and smoke.
Court records show Calderon admitted to purchasing explosive materials and performing Google searches on how to make bombs. He also admitted to storing 659.2 grams of explosive powder, along with a lighter, cannon fuse, cardboard tubing, a glass jar marked “frag” that contained metal ball bearings, lead, a funnel and measuring spoons in his garage.
Investigators found sexually explicit videos of Calderon and a 13-year-old girl. Court records show he admitted to knowing the girl’s age when he saved the videos.
Calderon faces up to 30 years in federal prison when he’s sentenced November 3, 2023.
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