An Edwardsburg man who threatened someone with a simulated rifle will face real consequences for his jealously fueled actions.

Judge Michael Dodge sentenced 18-year-old Joshua Travis Krassow to two years of probation on Friday, for charges of possession of marijuana and attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. The Edwardsburg man pleaded guilty to the two counts during an earlier appearance in court on Sept. 2.

The incident leading to Krassow’s arrest occurred on July 24, nearby his residence on Curtis Drive. On that day, the defendant’s girlfriend was dropped off at his home by the victim, Justin Deckler, an action that prompted the angry and jealous Krassow to confront the other man.

“You came out of your house armed with a long black pole that you used to simulate a rifle, putting it up and aiming it to shoot in the direction of Deckler, who was [parked] down the street,” Dodge said.

Krassow had also sent several violent text messages about the victim, saying that he would shoot and kill him.

When police investigated the incident, they discovered that the defendant had some marijuana in his possession, leading to the other charge in the case, Dodge said.

While no one was injured and no actual firearm was used in the incident, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz described Krassow’s behavior as “disturbing,” especially in light of the rash of violent shootings seen in schools and other venues in recent years, he said.

The prosecutor also requested that the judge not grant the Edwardsburg man the opportunity to serve a sentence under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA), which would allow Krassow to clean the crimes from his record following the completion of his sentence.

“At 18, he has his life ahead of him, but he’s given a black mark, and it’s something that society needs to know so that we can be protected in the hopefully unlikely he does something else criminal in the future,” Fitz said.

Krassow’s attorney, Timothy Dowling, claimed that his client’s actions stem from brain damage he incurred during a snowboarding accident two years ago, which resulted in him suffering from decreased academic performance in school as well a loss of status amongst his peers.

“The bottom dropped out of his world, and he developed a building frustration and irritability and somewhat of a short fuse,” Dowling said.

Dowling argued that, due to this and lack of prior record, Krassow should be considered for HYTA status.

While Dodge agreed to give the man a straight probation sentence, he sided with the prosecution and declined his enrollment in the HYTA program.

“Due to the violent nature of this and the threats that you made, I do not find you to be suitable candidate for the HYTA status,” Dodge said.

Also sentenced Friday:

• Derek Allen Snodgrass, 24, of Jones, to two years of probation and 90 days on tether for failure to comply with reporting duties as a sex offender.

• Talesia Persha Coleman, 25, of South Bend, to 18 months probation and 120 days in jail for fleeing from police.

• Michael James Kelly, 41, of Niles, to 150 days in jail and two years of probation for domestic violence and interfering with electronic communications.