Texas Amateur Bomb Maker Sentenced to 14 Years for Weapons Violations and Child Pornography Possession

A 22-year-old man from Burleson, Texas with a dangerous obsession with mass shootings has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for weapons violations and child pornography possession.

Noah Robert Calderon, who taught himself how to make and detonate illegal bombs, pleaded guilty in July, leading to his sentencing on Friday by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O'Connor.

In addition to the lengthy prison term, Judge O'Connor also ordered Calderon to be on supervised release for 30 years after serving his time.

Calderon's disturbing fascination with mass shootings, including the infamous Columbine massacre, was brought to light in October 2022 when the FBI received a tip about his internet activities.

Further investigations discovered that Calderon had posted pictures of himself posing with rifles and tactical vests on the internet.

Authorities were alerted again in March when Calderon detonated a homemade bomb in his neighborhood.

Upon analyzing his internet search history, investigators found that Calderon extensively researched public schools located near his residence.

The Department of Justice revealed that his searches included the names of the Columbine killers, the Charleston church shooter, and instructions on how to make pipe bombs and propane bombs.

Evidence found in Calderon's garage confirmed his dangerous intentions, as he had stored explosive powder, a lighter, cannon fuse, tubing, a jar containing metal ball bearings, lead, a funnel, and measuring spoons.

During the investigation, Calderon's phone was also examined, leading to the discovery of sexually explicit videos he had saved from a video chat with a 13-year-old girl.

The DOJ stated that Calderon admitted to being aware of the girl's age when he saved the videos.

Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Chad Yarbrough credited the community for reporting suspicious activity, which ultimately led to Calderon's arrest and the prevention of potential violence.

Yarbrough emphasized the importance of such information sharing and how it plays a crucial role in stopping individuals on a destructive path.

The sentencing of Noah Robert Calderon serves as a strong reminder of the dangers posed by those obsessed with violence and the importance of vigilant communities working with law enforcement to ensure public safety.