Man Charged After Allegedly Pointing Airsoft Rifle at Juvenile, Girlfriend in Ravenna Township
Dakota County Jail Booking Photo
Published: September 30th, 2026.
DAKOTA COUNTY: A 53-year-old man is facing a felony charge after authorities allege he pointed an airsoft rifle at a juvenile and his girlfriend as they drove past a neighboring property in Ravenna Township.
Joshua Michael Chytracek has been charged in Dakota County District Court with threats of violence involving a replica firearm or BB gun while acting in reckless disregard of the risk of causing terror. The felony carries a maximum sentence of one year and one day in prison and/or a $3,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, Dakota County sheriff’s deputies responded Sept. 28 to a report of a gun-pointing incident in Ravenna Township.
The juvenile told deputies he and his girlfriend had just left his home when he noticed a man he knew as “Josh” carrying what appeared to be a rifle at a neighboring residence. As the couple drove by at approximately 10 mph, Chytracek allegedly pointed the rifle at them with his finger on the trigger, the complaint states.
The juvenile’s girlfriend provided deputies with an account consistent with his statement, according to the complaint.
The juvenile also alleged Chytracek had previously pointed firearms at and threatened members of his family. The complaint states those alleged incidents had not been reported to law enforcement.
Deputies located Chytracek at the property and arrested him. During a post-Miranda interview, Chytracek reportedly told investigators he had been outside with an airsoft gun because of problems with squirrels but denied pointing the gun at anyone.
Authorities later executed a search warrant at the property and reported finding multiple air rifles and gas-powered BB gun pistols.
The allegations contained in a criminal complaint are accusations and have not been proven in court. Chytracek is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.