Randall Bernard Nelson, 55, of Mapleview was charged on Thursday in Mower County District Court with felony terroristic threats-explosives/incendiary device, felony domestic assault by strangulation and misdemeanor domestic assault.

According to court documents, a Mower County bailiff notified law enforcement at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday that Nelson had made a comment about an explosive while at the Mower County Courthouse. Nelson was in the waiting area at the courthouse when he was told his backpack could not be on the floor and he had to place it in one of the lockers. Nelson became hostile and allegedly said, “I better be careful; the C-4 will compress and explode,” while placing the backpack in the locker.

At least two witnesses approached law enforcement and said they were uncomfortable about the statement, according to the court documents. They also indicated he allegedly spoke about the C-4 exploding and that he did not have any detonators in a voice loud enough for others in the lobby to hear.

Nelson was then arrested.

Law enforcement also took a report from a woman who said Nelson had assaulted her on or about May 26, according to the court documents. She alleged that he choked her twice and she had difficulty breathing the second time.

A review of Nelson’s criminal record shows a prior conviction for trespassing-returning to harass/threaten.

Nelson will appear in court again on June 28.