NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Tennessee man was taken into custody on Monday for allegedly planning a violent attack on federal agents at the U.S.-Mexico border with the assistance of several militia groups. Paul Faye of Cunningham is facing charges of possessing, selling, or transferring an unregistered firearm following an almost yearlong undercover investigation, as per a criminal complaint filed in Nashville.
The complaint alleges that Faye sought to incite chaos at the border and intended to coordinate the attack with militia groups from Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. He hoped that the resulting violence would trigger a “domino effect,” prompting others to travel to the border in support of his plan.
Faye discussed his desire for the news to cover the attack and expressed his distrust of the U.S. government’s intentions, believing that the government was training to take on its citizens and using migrants crossing the border as part of its scheme. He also mentioned his belief that patriots would rise up due to feeling invaded.
During an in-person meeting at his home, Faye allegedly displayed his “war room,” which contained numerous firearms, a substantial amount of ammunition, radios, and a bulletproof vest. He then sold an unregistered silencer to an undercover agent for $100, leading to his arrest this week.
Authorities revealed that they were first alerted to Faye after the arrest of another Tennessee man, Bryan Perry, who is facing numerous charges for similar accusations of planning violence at the border. A search of Perry’s cellphone revealed communication with Faye, where Faye expressed a desire to travel to the border with Perry and commit acts of violence.
Perry and another individual, Jonathan O’Dell, who were arrested following a shootout with federal authorities, are currently being held without bond. A public defender representing Faye did not respond to requests for comment.