Cunningham, Tennessee – A Tennessee man has been arrested by the FBI for allegedly planning a violent attack on the Texas-Mexico border, court documents reveal. The arrest is based on a charge of possession of an unregistered firearm/silencer regulated by the National Firearms Act, according to federal records.
The investigation was initiated with the arrest of an individual named Bryan Perry in Missouri, who faced charges of various violent federal felonies. Subsequently, Perry’s phone was seized, revealing extensive contact with the arrested individual, Paul Faye Sr., leading up to Perry’s arrest.
Court documents indicate that Faye expressed a desire to travel with Perry and another individual to the U.S./Mexico border in order to commit acts of violence. Further investigation led to an undercover agent’s introduction to Faye on TikTok in March 2023, eventually leading to a meeting between Faye and three undercover agents on April 1, 2023.
During the meeting, Faye discussed his beliefs about the government and migrants, as well as his tactical training and possession of weapons, including a rifle with a suppressor. It was discovered that Faye had not registered the suppressor, leading to his arrest on the charge of possession of an unregistered firearm/silencer.
Following subsequent conversations with the undercover agent, Faye discussed plans to train with militia groups from multiple states and transport explosive devices to the border. Despite Faye’s denial of intending to conduct acts of violence, his possession and sale of unregistered firearms led to his arrest and subsequent detainment. A detention hearing has been scheduled for February 12 following Faye’s initial appearance in federal court.