FBI Disrupts Plot by Militia Members to Kill Border Patrol Agents and Immigrants at Texas-Mexico Border
In a shocking revelation, the FBI has successfully disrupted a plot by three individuals, two of whom claimed to be part of a militia, to travel to the Texas-Mexico border and carry out violent acts against Border Patrol agents and immigrants. The motive behind this heinous plot was their belief that the country was being invaded. The details of this disturbing incident were revealed in court documents filed in federal courts.
The individuals involved in this plot are Bryan C. Perry, 38; Jonathan S. O’Dell, 33; and Paul Faye, 55. They now face various federal charges related to their alleged plan, which authorities have discovered was organized in 2022 with the intention to execute it in October 2023. The most recent arrest was made on Monday, when Faye of Tennessee was taken into custody for being in possession of an unregistered firearm silencer.
According to the criminal complaint, Perry had extensive contact with Faye before Faye’s arrest. Faye expressed a desire to travel with Perry and another individual to the border and commit acts of violence. Perry and O’Dell are also accused of attempting to kill seven federal agents. In an attempt to serve a search warrant at O’Dell’s home in Missouri, Perry fired approximately 11 shots at FBI agents.
The initial arrests of Perry and O’Dell took place in late 2022, and they were indicted last year on charges including conspiracy to murder a federal officer, attempted murder of a federal officer, and assault of a federal officer. Authorities discovered six firearms, over 20 magazines, around 1,770 rounds of ammunition, and other equipment at O’Dell’s residence following their arrests.
The criminal complaint reveals that Perry and O’Dell began discussing their grievances with the federal government as early as November 2021. They attempted to recruit other members to their militia group with the intention of traveling to Washington, D.C., to “stop the madness going on.” They even shared maps of the Capitol and other governmental buildings.
The seriousness of their intentions is evident in Perry’s statements. In August 2022, he expressed his agreement with O’Dell to go “to war with the border patrol.” Perry also told a woman he tried to recruit on TikTok and Instagram that his intentions were to go to the border and “basically start a war.” He made it clear that he was willing to use violence, stating, “You come across, you’re gonna lose your life.”
Perry even uploaded a TikTok video announcing their plan to travel to the southern border with the intent of shooting to kill. O’Dell confirmed their plans in the comment section, mentioning their intended travel date of October 2, 2022. Perry blamed U.S. Border Patrol agents for allowing migrants to cross the border and viewed them as treasonous.
While the exact location on the Texas-Mexico border where the men intended to travel is not specified in the complaints, Faye’s criminal complaint indicates that he communicated with an individual from North Carolina who had previously been to Eagle Pass with a militia group called NC Patriot Party. This person planned to return to the border on January 20.
Lawyers representing the three men have remained silent regarding the charges brought against their clients. Both Perry and O’Dell have pleaded not guilty. The authorities first became aware of Perry’s threats after receiving an anonymous tip in September 2022.
It is worth mentioning that Perry and O’Dell were members of a self-styled militia called the 2nd American Militia. They made plans to shoot federal agents at the border and seize their ammunition and night vision goggles. Perry even claimed to have called Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office to inform them of their plans, stating, “If y’all cannot take care of this border and shut it down then we will be forced to come in and do it ourselves.”
This incident comes just a day after Governor Abbott hosted Republican governors from across the country in Eagle Pass to discuss border security tactics. Abbott has consistently referred to the high numbers of migrants crossing the Texas-Mexico border as an invasion. However, his use of such rhetoric has faced criticism from immigrant rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers who argue that it could incite violence against immigrants.
Unfortunately, history has shown the consequences of such rhetoric. In August 2019, a gunman targeted Hispanics in a mass shooting in El Paso after publishing a document online where he referred to an “Hispanic invasion.” The DOJ confirmed that the shooter identified as a white nationalist motivated by the belief that Hispanics were immigrating to the United States.
Despite the criticism, Abbott and other Republican leaders continue to employ similar language. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently described the people crossing the Texas-Mexico border as murderers, terrorists, and rapists. When asked if using such language could inspire another violent attack like the El Paso shooting, Patrick dismissed the question as “silly.”
The need for responsible rhetoric and the denouncement of violence cannot be overstated. Language that promotes hate and encourages individuals to take matters into their own hands leads to tragic consequences. The FBI’s successful disruption of this plot serves as a reminder that vigilance and proactive measures are crucial in preventing acts of violence and protecting innocent lives.
