In a country where 40 million people owe upward of $1.2 trillion on their student loans, it’s not hard to imagine why a tale about armed federal agents’ showing up at the door of a Texas man to arrest him over unpaid student loans set the Internet abuzz.

But as is the case with many stories that are shared widely online, the truth is a bit more complicated: Mainly, the authorities said the Houston resident, Paul Aker, was arrested after he disregarded years of orders to appear in court and address the repayment of a student loan from almost three decades ago.

When United States Marshals finally made contact with him last Thursday, officials said he threatened two deputies.

So for the millions of Americans who may worry that the authorities will show up with handcuffs to collect old student debt, Mr. Aker’s arrest is hardly typical — as long as you respond to the government’s requests to pay up.