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Travis County assistant district attorney arrested after allegedly threatening victim with gun

Joseph Frederick III, 51, was booked in the Travis County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault just before 4 a.m. Saturday.

AUSTIN, Texas — A Travis County assistant district attorney was arrested after a domestic disturbance Saturday morning.

According to Travis County jail records, 51-year-old Joseph Frederick III was arrested just before 4 a.m.

An affidavit obtained by KVUE states that the victim in the incident lived with Frederick at a residence in the 10300 block of RM 2222 for seven months.

The victim had been sleeping earlier in the day, while Frederick had a guest over. Frederick requested that the victim help him fix a TV, which the victim did.

After the guest left the residence, Frederick accused the victim of making flirtatious looks at the guest, suggesting possible jealousy.

Frederick and the victim then began arguing and exchanging insults, before the victim attempted to knock over a TV stand, which Frederick stopped. The victim then went back to his bedroom and locked the door.

According to the affidavit, the victim began packing his belongings with the intention of leaving, prompting Frederick to try and force the door open, damaging it in the process.

The victim then opened the door in an attempt to go to the restroom. When he opened it, Frederick was standing in the doorway, pointing a Smith and Wesson .38 silver revolver at him.

The victim reported to police that Frederick made threatening comments to him such as, "Get away from me," and "You're a danger to yourself and everyone around you."

After going to the restroom, the victim observed Frederick go into the victim's bedroom and close the door. When the victim opened the door, it pushed Frederick back, after which Frederick pointed the revolver at him and told him, "I'll shoot you."

Police reviewed video the victim had taken and observed Frederick with the revolver in his right hand, walking around the living room of the residence. Frederick could also be heard swearing and demanding the victim leave while holding the gun, insisting that the gun was a method of self-defense after he was pushed by the door.

The victim told police that he believed Frederick put the gun away once he realized he was being recorded.

The victim told police that he didn't fear for his life, but that he wouldn't have put it past Frederick to have shot him. When police recovered the gun, they found it to be fully loaded.

Credit: Austin Police Department
Joseph Frederick

Frederick is charged with one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He posted a $10,000 bond late Saturday evening.

The Travis County District Attorney's Office said in a statement that it "will be reviewing the information on the case and do not have any further comment at this time."

The Austin Police Department said this is an open and ongoing investigation.

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