A man who was clutching a revolver as a county deputy responded to threats of gun violence was arrested and charged with a felony.

Joseph Scott McCauley, 34, was arrested March 12 following allegations that he pointed a gun at a man and attempted to kill a dog.

According to an affidavit, Seminole County Deputy Gary Brooks was dispatched to 36107 Old Highway 99 on complaints of a man carrying a gun. Brooks arrived on scene and spoke with Randy Gullah, who said that McCauley pointed a pistol at him while he was cutting wood and tried to kill the dog he was holding onto.

According to the affidavit, Brooks spotted McCauley walking around the property with a revolver in his right hand. Brooks said when he ordered McCauley to drop the weapon, he just looked at him then took another step. McCauley dropped the gun when ordered to do so a second time. Brooks took McCauley into custody without further incident.

The weapon was identified as a .22 revolver with six rounds in the cylinder. According to the affidavit, the gun’s hammer was cocked back when Brooks took custody of it.

In the complaint filed by the District Attorney’s Office, McCauley is accused of pointing the weapon at Gullah “for the purpose of threatening or with the intention of discharging the firearm or with any malice or for injuring, either through physical injury or mental or emotional intimidation for purposes of whimsy, humor or prank, or in anger or otherwise and for other than a lawful purpose, including an act of self-defense.”

McCauley has been charged with feloniously pointing a firearm and, if convicted, faces a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years.

According to court records, McCauley made his initial court appearance on March 19 and is due back in court for a status conference on April 1.