Joshua Mark Hatleli, 31, of Lyle pleaded not guilty to felony domestic assault and gross misdemeanor interfering with an emergency telephone call on Monday in Mower County District Court. He was charged on Oct. 24.

According to the court complaint, police responded to a domestic disturbance call at 12:10 a.m. on Oct. 22 in the 400 block of Eighth Street Southwest. They met with a woman at her neighbor’s house, where she had called the police. She said she had argued with Hatleli and that he started destroying property inside the house. She said the house was “completely ruined” from him throwing items at her.

She told him she was calling the police, at which point he “charged” at her and wrestled her to the floor, according to the report, taking her phone and bruising her arm. She was able to escape and go to the neighbor’s house.

When officers searched the house for Hatleli, they saw the main level was destroyed, according to the report. They learned Hatleli was at the intersection of Third Avenue Northwest and Seventh Street Northwest. He was arrested and taken to Mower County Jail.

The complaint said Hatleli told police he had been drinking at his father’s house. When he returned home, he confronted the woman because he thought she was being unfaithful. He said he destroyed some items and she “came at” him. He said he tried to “restrain” her and had no intention of hurting her. He also said she did not try to call the police while he was there, but admitted to taking her phone with him when he left the residence.

A review of Hatleli’s record shows a prior conviction for gross misdemeanor domestic assault.

In Minnesota, felony domestic assault carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Hatleli’s pre-trial is scheduled for Feb. 9.