Jeremy James Gilbert, 31, of Austin pleaded guilty to felony fifth-degree assault on Wednesday in Mower County District Court as part of a plea agreement. A second charge of felony fifth-degree assault will be dismissed at the sentencing.

Gilbert initially pleaded not guilty to the charges on Nov. 9.

Gilbert was arrested in October after a neighbor spoke to law enforcement about Gilbert assaulting him on the evening of Oct. 16. The man told police that Gilbert was drinking when he assaulted him between 6 and 7 p.m.

According to the neighbor, Gilbert slapped him on the left side of his face several times, then grabbed him by the throat and poked him in the eye. He said he went to the hospital for his injuries.

A review of Gilbert’s criminal record shows prior convictions for assault.

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

Gilbert will be sentenced on April 19.