University responds to statements by FBI about former student

The Texas State University Police Department has released a statement regarding the arrest of Benjamin Bogard, a former Texas State student arrested on child pornography charges earlier this month. 

The San Antonio Express-News reported last week that FBI agents told a federal magistrate that Bogard, a 20-year-old from New Braunfels, “could have engaged in mass violence” if he had not been arrested on the child pornography charge stemming from images found on his cell phone. Federal agents testified that Bogard “created ‘disturbing’ videos in which he embraced white supremacy, said he wanted to kill minorities and discussed obtaining a chemical substance to make a bomb,” the Express-News reported.

Despite objections from the federal agents, U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Bemporad decided last Thursday that Bogard should be released to his parents. Bemporad granted him unsecured bail of $75,000 and included numerous restrictions to “reasonably assure the safety of the community,” the Express-News reported. Bogard is to have no internet access. Other conditions of his release to his parents include electronic monitoring and mental health treatment. Bogard was scheduled to arrive at his parents’ house yesterday.

Texas State released its statement about Bogard on Friday:

“This afternoon the university was made aware by a San Antonio Express-News report that Benjamin Bogard, who attended Texas State University for two semesters, was arrested by the FBI earlier this month on charges related to child pornography. It was also reported that during the course of investigating Bogard, authorities discovered material related to killing minorities.

“Bogard attended Texas State during the fall 2017 and spring 2018 semesters. The San Antonio Express-News reported that Bogard came to the attention of the FBI in November 2018, when he was no longer a Texas State student, and that he is currently in custody.

“The university is closely monitoring the disposition of the criminal charges against Bogard and the status of his detention.”

Citing an assistant U.S. attorney, the Express-News reported that Bogard dropped out of Texas State on the first day of classes for the fall 2018 semester and bought a van and a shotgun. 

Bogard’s lawyer argued that his client had no intention of carrying out any acts of violence and noted that Bogard has no criminal record.