The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested a man in Tennessee for threatening to kill immigrants in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Paul Faye Sr. was arrested in Nashville on Friday, Feb. 2, after he attempted to sell an unregistered rifle muzzle suppressor to an undercover FBI agent. Faye also told undercover agents that he and members of a paramilitary group planned to kill migrants in Eagle Pass.
This arrest comes just after a convoy of secessionist and white nationalist affiliated peopleattended a convoy that traveled to the Eagle Pass area.
According to a criminal complaint, the FBI had been investigating Faye since March 2023 after agents found his affiliation with another person who had talked about traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border to “commit acts of violence.”
Undercover agents befriended Faye last year to investigate his plans. During phone calls, Faye told the undercover agents that he was planning to shoot migrants in Eagle Pass, Texas, alongside members of a paramilitary group.
Faye faces a 10-year prison sentence and $250,000 fine if convicted on a ‘Possession or transfer of a nonregistered firearm (Suppressor),’ according to the complaint.
In response to the arrest, Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement that Republicans in the state are inciting domestic terrorism.
“They welcome MAGA extremists to our borders while spouting racist lies, fueling hatred toward migrants, border communities and the federal government – all while offering no real tangible solutions to this humanitarian crisis,” Hinojosa wrote. “Poisoning the blood of our country” has become their rallying cry, with the impending bloodshed ready to fall on Greg Abbott's hands.”
Texas Public Radio has reached out to Gov. Greg Abbott’s office for comment.
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