A Cottage Grove man faces a felony firearms charge after a road rage incident Aug. 12.
Travis Michael Danzl, age 53 of Cottage Grove, was arraigned Aug. 13 under Minnesota Statute 609.713.1 for threats of violence-reckless disregard risk, after he allegedly pointed a gun at at another driver after an exchange of words on Highway 61.If convicted he potentially faces up to five years imprisonment, a fine of $10,000, or both.
The charges comes after an incident Aug. 12 at 5:50 p.m. in which officers were dispatched to Highway 61 near Jamaica Avenue South in Cottage Grove. Once there, they were provided with a license plate number which led them to the suspect vehicle, where they found a black revolver beneath the passenger seat.
According to the reporting driver, the incident started in the area of Interstate 94 and Highway 61 near Burns Avenue with a vulgar gesture from another driver when she attempted to pass after following close behind. The gesture was returned, with the other driver making a second vulgar gesture near Glen Road and pointing a gun at her. She stated she did not think he would use it, but was still worried.
The license plate provided to police traced to Danzl, with officers sent to wait near the residence. After Danzl returned and was detained, he stated that he had not pulled out a gun and that the object was a Taser. He further stated there was a ball bearing air gun under the passenger seat.
Officers searched the vehicle and recovered the air gun, made to resemble a black rifle. After being read his Miranda rights, Danzl affirmed the reporting driver’s statement while stating she had tried to run him off the road. He stated that he had brandished a Taser and pointed the air gun at his head, rather than the other driver.
Bail was set at $40,000 without conditions, or $0 with conditions. Danzl was not listed on the Washington County Jail inmate roster as of Tuesday, Aug. 25.