Tensions between two peewee football dads had become so heated that one of them -- a Washington County (Minn.) sheriff's commander -- began carrying his gun to games and practices, he said.
The animosity boiled over last week, Cmdr. Brian Mueller said, when the other parent threatened his life for the third time.
Because of the alleged threats, Christopher Kaim Fena, 50, of Oak Park Heights spent the night in jail.
Fena was charged Friday by the Washington County attorney's office with one felony count of terroristic threats.
The confrontation happened at the St. Croix Valley Recreation Center in Stillwater. The football players are in elementary school, center staff reported.
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Stillwater police went to the center about 4:45 p.m. after Mueller called to report that someone threatened him.
As an officer was speaking with Mueller, Fena "approached (the officer) in an aggressive manner and spoke in a loud tone that 'that man hit me,' " according to a criminal complaint.
Fena denied making any threats, although Mueller said this wasn't the first time Fena had threatened to kill him. Fena was arrested and placed in a squad car, but because he "was becoming increasingly agitated and yelling uncontrollably," he was taken to jail, the complaint said.
According to Mueller, Fena had threatened him the previous night and the week before, the complaint said.
During a court appearance Friday, Fena's bail was set at $25,000.
