A Tennessee militia member, Paul Faye, has been arrested by the FBI after a nearly yearlong investigation revealed his plans to commit acts of violence against federal border agents at the southern border. Faye, of Cunningham, was charged with selling an unregistered firearm suppressor and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The arrest comes after federal investigators noticed Faye’s extensive contact with Bryan C. Perry, another Tennessee militia member who was planning a violent conflict with Border Patrol agents before his own arrest in 2022. Perry has been charged with conspiring to kill federal agents and allegedly fired at FBI agents during his arrest in Missouri.
According to the criminal complaint, Faye had intended to travel to the border with Perry before Perry’s arrest. Faye had a stockpile of weapons at his Tennessee home and had expressed his belief that the U.S. government was training to take on its citizens and purposely allowing migrants to cross the border to help the government.
In conversations with an undercover agent, Faye revealed his plans to take explosives to the border and serve as a sniper with a militia group. He also discussed coordinating with militia groups from Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, hoping to create a domino effect and attract media attention.
During a meeting at his home, Faye showed the undercover agent his cache of weapons, ammunition, and a bulletproof vest. He later sold the agent an unregistered firearms suppressor without a serial number.
Faye’s arrest highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding extremist ideologies and the potential for violence at the southern border.
Faye is scheduled to appear in federal court on February 12 for a detention hearing. The investigation into his alleged involvement with militia groups and his plans for violence at the border continues.
