A 44-year-old Cross Plains man with prior felony convictions is facing federal firearm charges after authorities say he fired multiple shots at Robertson County Sheriff's deputies during a September standoff in which he held his girlfriend hostage. Stephen Clark was found unconscious in a bathroom next to two handguns after a standoff that began when a 911 call reported an armed man behaving aggressively inside a Cross Plains home.
According to federal court documents cited by the U.S. Department of Justice, Clark was inside the home with his girlfriend during the standoff.
Robertson County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the home on September 4 and heard shouting inside before they attempted entry, according to the DOJ. Clark allegedly pointed a firearm directly at an officer, prompting deputies to retreat and take cover behind their patrol vehicles. As reported by WKRN News 2, deputies then heard a gunshot from inside the home.
Deputies Force Entry as Fears Grow for Hostage's Safety
Believing the woman's life was in danger, law enforcement forced entry into the residence. Officers fired a single shot toward Clark, who then retreated into the bathroom. The DOJ's account states he fired multiple rounds back toward deputies from inside the bathroom. The station's report notes that the woman told deputies Clark had pointed a gun at her and fired a shot, though she did not sustain injuries.
The standoff ended only after Clark fell asleep inside the bathroom, allowing the hostage to escape the residence. Responding officers then entered and found Clark unconscious next to the two handguns, per the DOJ documents. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Boucek Leads Middle District U.S. Attorney's Office
Clark was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions, including theft of property valued at $1,000 or more but less than $10,000 and vandalism involving similar property damage out of Davidson County, according to the DOJ. He also has prior convictions out of Sumner County for evading arrest involving a risk of death, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and facilitation of especially aggravated burglary.
Boucek, who was sworn in to lead the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee in December 2025 after previously serving as a federal prosecutor in both Nashville and Memphis, was formally invested in the role in June 2026.
Up to 15 Years Under Federal Firearm Law
Clark could face up to 15 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted, officials said.
Cross Plains, where the standoff unfolded, is a small municipality in Robertson County with an estimated population of just 1,952 residents, according to World Population Review.
The case lands in a county already grappling with the toll of domestic violence. Tennessee's statewide domestic violence offender registry, known as Savanna's Law, took effect this year and was named in honor of slain Robertson County Deputy Savanna Puckett. The law requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to maintain searchable online conviction records for repeat domestic abuse offenders.
