Hampton Man Charged After Allegedly Flashing BB Gun During Fake Cocaine Sale
Dakota County Jail booking photo
Published: August 14th, 2026.
DAKOTA COUNTY: A Hampton man is facing two felony charges after authorities allege he sold a 17-year-old girl a bag of flour that was presented as cocaine and later flashed what appeared to be a handgun when she demanded her money back.
Joseph Thomas Gordy has been charged in Dakota County District Court with felony threats of violence involving a replica firearm or BB gun and felony simulated controlled substance crime.
According to the criminal complaint, Dakota County sheriff’s deputies responded to a residential neighborhood in Hampton on Aug. 12 after receiving a report of a gun being pointed.
Deputies spoke with a 17-year-old girl who told authorities she had gone to the area to meet Gordy and purchase cocaine. According to the complaint, she gave Gordy $60 in exchange for a bag containing what she believed was cocaine.
The girl allegedly realized the substance was not cocaine and asked for her money back. The complaint alleges Gordy then reached into a cross-body bag, appeared to flash a pistol at her and told her to leave.
Deputies later located Gordy in a vehicle outside his home and arrested him. Authorities searched his cross-body bag and allegedly found a Glock-style BB gun that resembled a semiautomatic handgun, according to the complaint.
A friend of Gordy told deputies that Gordy had sold the girl a bag of flour for $60, the complaint states. The friend said he did not see Gordy pull a gun but told authorities Gordy went outside to confront the girl without him.
Another person who was in the vehicle with Gordy allegedly told a deputy that when law enforcement arrived, Gordy said, “They’re here for me.”
Gordy is charged with threats of violence involving a replica firearm or BB gun and simulated controlled substance crime.
The charges are allegations, and Gordy is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.