Topic: Paul Fatta

Jeff Davis interviews Paul Fatta in Waco, Texas, on April 19, 2010, regarding his experience as a Branch Davidian. Fatta details his twelve-year and seven-month prison sentence following the 1993 Waco siege. His convictions included conspiracy to murder federal agents and manufacturing automatic weapons, despite being in Austin, Texas, during the initial ATF raid.

Paul Fatta explains how federal conspiracy laws allowed prosecutors to hold him responsible for the deaths of federal agents despite his physical absence from Mount Carmel. He characterizes the legal proceedings as a political trial where the government sought a "pound of flesh" from survivors to deflect responsibility for the tragedy. Fatta concludes by reflecting on the lack of justice served by the judicial system and his reliance on faith following his release.

Paul Fatta describes his background as an entrepreneur in Hawaii and his role as a head deacon in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He recounts an evening at the Diamond Head Seventh-day Adventist Church where church elders interrupted a young man's Bible study presentation. Fatta explains that this act of censorship motivated him to host the studies at his own home to allow for open discussion.

Paul Fatta details his growing interest in the prophecies of the Book of Revelation, which led him to connect with Steve Schneider. Despite running a successful business with 75 employees, Fatta traveled from Hawaii to Texas to meet David Koresh directly. He describes his first impressions of Koresh and a subsequent 13-hour Bible study session that he found transformative.

Paul Fatta discusses his decision to leave his six-million-dollar-a-year business and property in Hawaii to join the Branch Davidians in Texas. He emphasizes that his move to the Mount Carmel Center was driven by a pursuit of religious truth rather than an affinity for the location. Fatta notes that he and others "roughed it" on the property during the early days of the community.

Paul Fatta recalls being at a gun and trade show in Austin, Texas, on February 28, 1993, the day the ATF raid began. Upon returning to Waco, he found the perimeter sealed by federal agents and was unable to reach the Mount Carmel property. He describes monitoring the situation via radio, speaking to the media, and eventually being featured on America's Most Wanted.

Paul Fatta reflects on the loss of friends like Clive Doyle and his desire to maintain a positive outlook regarding the afterlife. He answers a question from an audience member named Laura regarding when he first heard about the raid. Fatta reveals that the raid occurred on his birthday and he only learned the details, including reports of deaths, late that evening from a woman named Maribel.

Paul Fatta lists the federal charges brought against him, including conspiracy to murder federal agents and manufacturing automatic weapons. He describes his experience in county jail, noting that other inmates initially feared the Branch Davidians due to media coverage. However, he claims many prisoners eventually showed respect for the group because they stood up against the government system.

Paul Fatta outlines his transfers through various federal prisons in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, and California before his eventual release. He also shares a story about hiding in the basement of a woman named Eva in Northern Idaho while being pursued by the FBI and Texas Rangers. Fatta claims that Eva was later poisoned and killed, though she had risked her safety to shelter him during the standoff.

Paul Fatta describes a tense moment at the El Reno transfer center where guards identified the Branch Davidians as "cop killers" to a room of approximately one hundred prisoners. Fatta initially feared a violent reaction from the other inmates. Instead, he claims the prisoners approached the group to shake hands in a show of solidarity against the authorities.

Paul Fatta discusses his life after serving nearly 13 years in prison, including his move to San Diego to be near his father and son. He describes starting as a dishwasher at the Hathaway House and working his way up to managing his son's two restaurants. Fatta mentions the friction with his Catholic family regarding his religious beliefs and his time at Mount Carmel.

Paul Fatta explains the legal complexities of his release, noting that he was sent to San Diego because authorities would not allow him to return to Waco. He describes the strict conditions of his three-year supervised release, which included financial monitoring and travel restrictions. Fatta confirms that his "paper" is now finished as of May 2009, allowing him full freedom of movement.

Paul Fatta expresses his gratitude to the people who wrote letters of encouragement to him while he was incarcerated. He reflects on his personal faith, citing the Bible's description of Christ as the author and finisher of faith. Fatta emphasizes that his experiences were a personal journey between himself and God and states that he tries not to judge others.

Host Jeff Davis interviews Paul Fatta on location in Waco on April 19, 2010, summarizing Fatta's 12-year prison sentence. Fatta reiterates that he was 100 miles away in Austin during the initial raid and never entered the Mount Carmel facility during the 51-day siege. He characterizes his prosecution as a "political trial" where the government sought a "pound of flesh" from survivors to avoid taking responsibility for the tragedy.

The conversation shifts to broader patterns of government violence, comparing the Waco incident to contemporary no-knock drug raids where agents wear masks and open fire on citizens. The case of Paul Fatta is highlighted; Fatta served 12 years in prison for conspiracy to kill a federal agent despite allegedly not being present at the Mount Carmel site during the 1993 shootout.

Paul Fatta describes serving over 12 years in prison on conspiracy charges despite being 100 miles away in Austin during the initial raid. He characterizes his prosecution as a "political trial" where the government sought a "pound of flesh" from the survivors to avoid taking responsibility for the tragedy.

The discussion clarifies that two Mount Carmel residents made their living legally selling firearms at gun shows and were registered dealers. It is claimed that 90% of the Davidians' legal firearms were away at a show in Austin during the ATF raid. Furthermore, allegations are raised that some ATF agents were killed by "friendly fire" from military-grade armament that the Davidians did not possess, a fact reportedly omitted from mainstream coverage.

The discussion focuses on Paul Fatta, a Branch Davidian who served over 12 years in prison despite being 100 miles away at a gun show in Austin during the initial ATF raid. Fatta explains that he was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture automatic weapons and aiding and abetting the murder of federal agents. He characterizes his prosecution as a "political trial" where the government sought a "pound of flesh" to deflect from its own mistakes.