CUNNINGHAM, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A yearlong investigation into a Montgomery County man whom FBI agents say planned to attack the southern border concluded this week with his arrest.

On Monday, Paul Faye Sr. of Cunningham was arrested on charges of possession of an unregistered silencer for an AK-47 after selling it to an undercover agent for $100, according to a federal criminal complaint.

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Faye said he wanted to “stir up the hornets’ nest” at the border in hopes others would join in confrontations with federal officials in what he called a “domino effect.” The complaint states he believed that the government was training to take on its citizens, and more specifically, that the federal government was allowing illegal immigrants to enter the United States to help the government.

Clarksville Now has attempted to contact Faye, who was taken into federal custody.

Undercover investigation

In March 2023, the FBI contacted someone named Faye through TikTok using an undercover agent (UCE1). After some messages, Faye shared his phone number for further communication, according to the complaint.

Around April 1, Faye met with UCE1 and two other undercover agents (UCE2 and UCE3), along with his two sons, the complaint said. During the meeting, Faye asked if the UCEs were federal law enforcement. Once confirmed they were not, Faye shared his belief that the government was training to control its citizens.

Faye also talked about his tactical training and the weapons he had, including a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle with what seemed to be a suppressor, as seen in a photo on his phone. The conversation was recorded, the complaint said.

Plan to attack border agents

“I’ll be the first one on the scene, and the last one to leave,” Faye allegedly said during a conversation with an undercover federal agent in which he said his role would be as a sniper. “The reason why I say that is, if something, just say that we were going down like that, before you even put yourself in danger, I would be on top (of) that roof right there, zeroing out, taking out anybody.”

Faye and UCE1 exchanged multiple phone calls and conversations leading up to Faye’s arrest, the complaint said.

“As far as gear, I mean, I probably got enough extra to get you by, if need be, and then we can pick you some up as we go,” Faye allegedly told the agents during a phone conversation on May 12. “Hell, there may be some laying around, you know, after a little while.”

Faye said he believed there would be deceased individuals from whom the UCE1 could recover equipment, the complaint said. When UCE1 asked what was needed at the border, Faye stated, “the main thing is tactical gear. You need gas masks and stuff, they are going to put gas out, I can guarantee that.”

Around Aug. 31, there was a recorded phone call between UCE1 and Faye. Faye mentioned that he was collecting items that go “boom boom boom when you want them to,” that it was time to “step things up,” and “I have a few things that go bang and go fast if you know what I mean,” implying he had weapons or explosive devices, the complaint said.

Militias and explosives

According to the complaint, on Dec. 14, UCE1 conducted an in-person meeting with Faye, who talked about working with militia groups from Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. He discussed plans to travel to the border and shared strategies for transporting explosives without being detected by law enforcement. Faye also mentioned the need to meet with someone he called “Alpha.”

“I’ll tell you this right now, the guy, Alpha, I gotta go see him,” he allegedly told the undercover agent. “I’m probably going to try and go see him this week, weekend. He can make it. Like I said, he can put stuff together. He can go under kitchen sink and come out with napalm.”

Faye also mentioned having Tannerite, which he claimed could be transformed into Claymore mines, according to the complaint. He then informed UCE1 that he strategically placed butane tanks on his property, intending to use them as boobytrap explosive devices if law enforcement showed up. In the same conversation, Faye stated that he knew someone in Cookeville, Tennessee, who could create improvised explosive devices.

UCE1 and UCE2 met with Faye at his residence in Cunningham on Jan. 11. Upon entering, Faye showed the agents his “war room,” which consisted of numerous firearms, a large amount of ammunition, radios and a bulletproof vest, according to the complaint. During this meeting, Faye also discussed the plan to travel to the U.S./Mexico border and indicated the desire to commit acts of violence.

Faye was taken into federal custody on a charge of illegal possession of a suppressor. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in federal prison.

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