Tennessee Militia Member Arrested for Plotting Violence at Southern Border

A Tennessee militia member, Paul Faye, has been arrested by the FBI after a year-long investigation revealed his plans to travel to the southern border with a stockpile of weapons and commit acts of violence against federal border agents. Faye, of Cunningham, was charged with selling an unregistered firearm suppressor, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted.

The investigation into Faye began when federal investigators noticed his extensive contact with Bryan C. Perry, another Tennessee militia member who was planning a violent conflict with Border Patrol agents. Perry, of Clarksville, has been charged with conspiring to kill federal agents and allegedly tried to recruit members to his militia to shoot migrants and federal agents. Perry even fired at FBI agents during his arrest in October 2022.

According to the criminal complaint, Faye had intended to travel to the border with Perry before Perry's arrest. The complaint does not identify the specific militia or militias that Faye is associated with. 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 May 2023, Faye told an undercover agent that "the patriots are going to rise up because we are being invaded" in reference to migrants crossing the southern border. He also revealed his plan to take explosives to the border and serve as a sniper with a militia group. In mid-December 2023, Faye discussed coordinating with militia groups from Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee to "stir up the hornet's nest" at the border.

During a meeting on January 11, Faye showed the undercover agent his cache of weapons, ammunition, and a bulletproof vest. He discussed his plan to travel to the U.S./Mexico border and commit acts of violence. Faye later sold the undercover agent an unregistered firearms suppressor with no serial number for $100.

Faye's arrest highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding border security and the potential for violence from extremist groups. The FBI's investigation into individuals planning violent actions at the southern border underscores the importance of continued vigilance and law enforcement efforts to ensure the safety of both border agents and migrants. Faye is scheduled to appear in federal court on February 12 for a detention hearing.