State police accused a Butler man of brandishing a gun while driving in Center Township last month, according to charges filed Wednesday, Jan. 17.

Phillip C. Heasley, 33, was charged with misdemeanor simple assault and summaries harassment and disorderly conduct after police received reports of a road rage incident Dec. 27, 2023, at the intersection of Mercer Road and Route 8.

Police said two witnesses reported a white pickup truck was following their vehicle closely as they traveled on North Duffy Road.

Police said when the vehicles approached a stop sign at the intersection with Mercer Road, the pickup truck driver pointed a pistol at the witnesses.

Heasley was identified by police as the driver of the truck, and documents indicate Heasley said he did not point a firearm at anyone, but was on the phone with a woman during the incident.

Documents stated the woman told police she was not on the phone with Heasley at the time of the alleged incident.

A pistol was also found at Heasley’s residence, police said.

Heasley’s preliminary hearing was scheduled Feb. 20 before District Judge Lewis Stoughton.