74°F
weather icon Clear

Armed man arrested at Pahrump bar after allegedly posing as undercover DEA agent

A man who allegedly posed as a Drug Enforcement Agency officer was taken into custody after reports of him displaying a handgun on the countertop of a local bar.

According to a Nye County Sheriff’s Office arrest report, the incident occurred at approximately 8:35 a.m. on Saturday Aug. 13, when deputy Cory Buendicho was dispatched to the Hubb Bar located at 3720 W. Bell Vista for a person with a gun, according to a sheriff’s office report.

“The reporting party stated that there was a male at the bar that had his pistol on the bar countertop,” the report stated. No threats were made to the reporting party.

Upon arrival, Buendicho made contact with the man who was identified as Jeffrey Hatfield.

The deputy located a firearm directly in front of Hatfield on the bar’s countertop, according to sheriff’s report. Hatfield reportedly told law enforcement that the firearm belonged to him.

When deputies asked Hatfield about the firearm on the counter top, he replied, “I’m a DEA agent,” according to the report.

While continuing to speak to Hatfield, he stated multiple times that he was an agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency, according to the report, but while patting him down for weapons, deputies noted nothing that resembled DEA credentials.

“I asked Jeffrey if he had his badge on him, Jeffrey replied ‘no.’ I then asked Jeffrey why he didn’t have his badge. Jeffrey’s explanation was that he was undercover. Jeffrey was unable to provide any sort of resource or documentation to support his claim of being a drug-enforcement agent,” the deputy noted. “I gave Jeffrey a chance to explain himself, but he was still unable to provide anything to prove that he was employed with the Drug Enforcement Agency and continued stating that he was an agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency.”

Hatfield was placed into custody and transported to the Nye County Detention Center.

While driving there, Hatfield reportedly told the deputy that he was deputized by the Drug Enforcement Agency and that all Nye County Sheriff’s Office deputies were federal marshals.

Hatfield was booked on a $5,000 bond.

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes

MOST READ
THE LATEST
USO Benefit Show nets thousands for local causes

B.J. Hetrick-Irwin, founder of the Nevada Silver Tappers and Ms. Senior Golden Years, continues to dance at the age of 99.

No more squatting – new law targets homeless on vacant, private property

Nye County McGill said the purpose of the new code is to authorize the sheriff’s office to make contact with people occupying vacant private property or a property with a vacant building and demand to see a lease agreement.

VEA names new CEO

Hamlin will return to Pahrump for his first day as CEO of the co-op on Dec. 9.

Jury finds Michele Fiore guilty on federal wire fraud charges

Former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore was accused of using donations meant for a statue of a fallen police officer on her personal expenses.

Empty the Shelters!

BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Fall National Empty the Shelters offers a chance for the community to save lives through adoption while creating space for shelters to help more pets.

Offload your hazardous waste next weekend

Readers looking for a chance to toss out this type of junk safely and properly should mark their calendars for next weekend’s Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event.

Nye deputies eradicate large pot growing operation

“We cut down approximately 2,000 plants,” Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill said. “Some were as big as over six-feet tall.”

Firewood permit program underway

On a first-come, first-serve basis, the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area is offering firewood permits this month, via its annual Firewood Permit Program.

Big Brother, Big Sisters returns to Pahrump

The 120 year old non-profit organization Big Brothers Big Sisters of American (BBBSOA) is making its return to Pahrump this Fall.