A Watertown man has been charged with second-degree assault and impersonating a police officer in connection with a road rage incident on Jan. 2.

Charles Robert Christie, 30, was arrested at his home and held in the Carver County jail until Monday, when he posted $20,000 bond, according to the Carver County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office said a driver reported being followed from Mound to Watertown by a motorist who was yelling and brandishing a handgun.

When the victim pulled over to let him pass, the motorist stopped, got out, and continued to yell and point the gun at the victim and a passenger.

The victim said the suspect displayed a wallet and ID badge claiming he was a detective from the Minnetrista Police Department.

The victim's description of the suspect, vehicle and gun led sheriff's deputies to identify Christie as the suspect. When they went to his home, he admitted the road rage incident but denied brandishing a handgun or identifying himself as a police officer.

Deputies searched Christie's vehicle and recovered a handgun matching the one described by the victim.

Christie's next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 30.

Susan Feyder