Travis County Deputy District Attorney Arrested After Porn Streaming Dispute

A Travis County assistant district attorney was arrested early Saturday morning after allegedly pointing a gun at a man he lived with during an argument that began over issues streaming pornography on a television, court documents show.

According to an affidavit, Joseph Francis Frederick III, 51, is accused of threatening the man with a loaded revolver at their shared apartment on FM 2222 in west Austin on June 7. The incident allegedly began when Frederick, who was having trouble streaming porn on a television, woke the man up to ask for help.

After the man fixed the problem with the television, Frederick accused him of flirting with a guest who had previously been at their home. The affidavit states that an argument ensued and as the man was leaving, Frederick attempted to force his way into the man’s locked bedroom, damaging the door.

The affidavit states that when the man later opened the door to use the bathroom, Frederick was standing in the hallway pointing a silver revolver at him. Frederick later allegedly put the gun in the man’s face and said, “I’m going to shoot you.” The man began recording the incident, and according to police, the video shows Frederick holding the revolver and angrily telling the man to leave.

Police recovered a loaded Smith & Wesson .38 Special with five hollow point bullets from Frederick at the scene. He was booked into the Travis County Jail on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony.

The prosecutor’s office said it was reviewing the case: “Our office will review the information related to the case and we have no further comment at this time.”