A man from Cherokee County has been charged with federal firearms violations following the shooting of a Jacksonville police officer earlier this month, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas.
Bobby Michael Dennis, 64, faces charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing a firearm after being convicted of a crime of domestic violence. The charges stem from an incident on November 2, 2025, when Dennis allegedly shot at a Jacksonville police officer with an AR-15-style rifle as she tried to identify him due to multiple outstanding warrants. The officer was struck twice during the encounter.
Authorities say Dennis fired several rounds at the officer, her K9 partner, and her patrol vehicle before fleeing the scene. His flight prompted a multi-agency manhunt that resulted in local schools canceling classes for two days while law enforcement searched for him. During this time, investigators executed a search warrant at Dennis’ home in Jacksonville and found four additional firearms.
Dennis was apprehended without incident on November 5, 2025, after officers executed another search warrant at a bunker he had constructed near Cuney, Texas. Another firearm was recovered from that location.
Federal law prohibits Dennis from owning firearms due to his status as a three-time convicted felon. His previous convictions include aggravated robbery in Smith County and aggravated assault and possession of a controlled substance in Pulaski County, Arkansas.
If found guilty on the federal firearms charges, Dennis could face up to life imprisonment.
The investigation is being conducted by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office; Jacksonville Police Department; Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division; and Texas Rangers. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Locker and Lucas Machicek are prosecuting the case.
“A complaint or grand jury indictment are not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” officials stated.
