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Police charged a retired Miami University administrator Tuesday with aggravated menacing after he pointed a handgun at a MTV reality TV star last week.

Authorities served 78-year-old Robert J. Sherman a court summons Tuesday afternoon at his White Oak Drive home for the misdemeanor offense. According to police, the Derringer handgun Sherman aimed at John "Johnny Bananas" DeVenanzio of MTV's "The Real World: Key West" heightened the charge.

"Because a firearm was displayed, the charge rose to the level of aggravated menacing," Oxford Police Sgt. Squance said. "... This is a misdemeanor of the first degree."

The Butler County Prosecutor's Office said a first degree misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Sherman's appearance in Area I Court is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 26.

The former MU administrator pointed the gun at DeVenanzio after a confrontation at a Quail Ridge Drive residence Oct. 11. Police say DeVenanzio approached a gray Cadillac parked behind his girlfriend's Dodge Neon. When he reached the passenger's side window, officers say Sherman pointed a gun at the reality TV star.

The altercation erupted after DeVenanzio's girlfriend passed Sherman at a double yellow line on McGuffey Avenue, police said. The former Miami administrator then tailed the MTV star and his girlfriend a few blocks to the Quail Ridge Drive residence.

The two men told police conflicting stories about the Wednesday morning incident. Sherman claims DeVenanzio approached his Cadillac in a threatening manner, which caused him to grab his unloaded gun.

DeVenanzio contends he only approached Sherman's car to find out what the problem was. After spotting the handgun, "The Real World" star retreated to his girlfriend's car and called police.

A Miami spokesperson said Sherman has not worked for the university in more than 20 years. Sherman was the director of continuing education before retiring in 1984 and was employed by the university for 17 years. DeVenanzio is not a student at Miami. His girlfriend attends the university, police said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 523-4139 or jgiordano@coxohio.com.