HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The FBI arrested a Tennessee man who allegedly planned to take part in a violent attack on the Texas-Mexico border, court documents show.
Paul Faye Sr. was arrested on a charge of possession of an unregistered firearm/silencer regulated by the National Firearms Act, federal records show.
A criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee said the investigation began with an individual named Bryan Perry, who was charged in Missouri with “various violent federal felonies.”
According to the complaint, Perry’s phone was seized, and showed extensive contact with Faye leading up to his arrest.
“Specifically, Faye expressed a desire to travel with Perry and another individual to the U.S./Mexico border and commit acts of violence,” the complaint stated.
In March 2023, the FBI introduced an undercover agent to Faye on TikTok. After exchanging messages, Faye provided the agent with his phone number for further communication.
On April 1, 2023, three undercover agents met with Faye, in person, along with his two sons. During the meeting, Faye asked if the undercover agents were federal law enforcement.
After confirming that the undercover agents were not law enforcement, he began discussing his beliefs that the government was “training to take on its citizens” and allowing migrants to enter the country to assist them.
Faye began discussing his training and the weapons he had in his possession. He showed them a photograph on his phone of a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle with a suppressor, the complaint stated.
The FBI had previously conducted a check on the National Firearm Registration, which showed that Faye had not registered the suppressor at that time.
On May 11, 2023, an undercover agent spoke with Faye, who began discussing the need to train in person before traveling to the border.
“Specifically, Faye stated ‘the patriots are going to rise up because we are being invaded,'” the complaint stated.
The next day, the two talked on the phone again, and Faye discussed the need to obtain a ballistic plate carrier.
“‘If you can’t find them, I’m pretty sure there’s going to be some laying around after a while, ya follow me?'” Faye said, according to the complaint.
Perry had made similar statements to the undercover agent, in which he said night vision goggles could be obtained from dead Border Patrol agents.
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During another call in November, Faye discussed that he met with a person who had traveled to Eagle Pass, Texas with members of his militia group, the NC Patriot Party, and were planning to travel back to the border on Jan. 20, 2024.
The undercover agent asked “Are we gonna go to work,” to which Faye responded, “No no, we’re gonna work, we’re gonna work.” This was interpreted as Faye stating he was going to conduct acts of violence.
On Dec. 14, 2023, the agent met with Faye in person to discuss coordinating with militia groups from Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee and transporting explosive devices to the border.
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According to the complaint, Faye said his role within the group was to serve as a sniper “sending rounds down range.”
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On Dec. 14, Faye said he was in possession of Tannerite, which he could convert to Claymore mines. He also told the agent he stationed butane tanks around his property so that he could use them as boobytraps if law enforcement arrived.
On Jan. 11, 2024, two undercover agents met with Faye at his residence in Cunningham, Tennessee. There, he showed them his “war room,” which contained numerous firearms, ammunition, radios and a bulletproof vest.
One of the undercover agents had inquired about getting a suppressor for an AK-47. During the meeting, Faye showed him one and the agent purchased it for $100. The suppressor did not have manufacturer markings or a serial number. Based on this information, authorities determined that Faye committed the offense of possessing, selling, or transferring a firearm that was not registered on the ATF’s National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record.
On Feb. 2, an arrest warrant was issued and records show he was taken into custody three days later.
Faye appeared in federal court on Feb. 5 and has a detention hearing scheduled for Feb. 12.
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