Authorities in Texas arrested a man who showed up at the Houston County Sheriff’s Office claiming to be a federal agent—only to later fire off nearly 30 rounds from an AR-15 into the air outside the building, as reported by The Blaze.
Sheriff Zak Benge reported that the suspect, 34-year-old Clifford Heniser, arrived at the sheriff’s office lobby around 7 a.m. on Saturday. Heniser reportedly told dispatchers that he was a federal agent and needed to inspect department records.
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Unfortunately for him, law enforcement didn’t buy his story.
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With all deputies out on patrol, a dispatcher informed Heniser that someone would return soon to assist him.
That must not have been the answer he was looking for, because he left the lobby, returned to his vehicle, and—moments later—came back with an AR-15 rifle.
At that point, the situation escalated. Heniser reportedly tried to call dispatchers again, but by then, they were ducking under their desks and radioing for backup.
Realizing he wasn’t going to get the response he wanted, he exited the building and started firing rounds into the air.
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The sheriff said Heniser fired about 30 shots before reloading and wandering around the parking lot. Not exactly the brightest move when law enforcement is just minutes away.
Within moments, two Crockett police officers and a Texas Highway Patrol trooper arrived on the scene.
Unlike some criminals who decide to go out in a blaze of stupidity, Heniser actually followed their commands, put his weapon down, and was taken into custody without further incident.

No one was hurt, but it wasn’t for lack of trying on Heniser’s part. Authorities found a Colt pistol and two magazines in his pockets, along with four additional rifle magazines and between 300 to 500 rounds of ammo in his truck.
This wasn’t even Heniser’s first run-in with the sheriff’s office that week. Just three days prior, on March 12, he was arrested for disorderly conduct after causing a disturbance in the same building, using vulgar language with personnel.
He was released from jail on Thursday, only to return days later with a rifle in hand.
🔴ARRESTED: Clifford Heniser, 34, from Lovelady, TX was arrested after going into the parking lot of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office early Saturday morning and firing multiple shots into the air.
Deputies say Clifford went into the lobby around 7 a.m., claimed to be a… pic.twitter.com/Poq9FYM5IA
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For his weekend antics, Heniser now faces charges including impersonating an officer, unlawful carrying of a weapon by a felon, criminal trespass, and deadly conduct. Authorities have transferred him to another county for the safety of both staff and himself.
The Crockett Police Department is leading the investigation, with assistance from the ATF and the FBI. Given his track record, it’s safe to say Heniser won’t be walking free anytime soon.
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