Steven Regino Schwering, 28, of Austin was charged with felony domestic assault on Thursday in Mower County District Court.

According to the court complaint, Austin police were dispatched to a domestic situation at about 7:52 p.m. on Jan. 21, at an apartment in the 400 block of Second Street Southeast. An officer heard yelling and crying coming from inside the apartment, followed by the sound of what appeared to be someone wrestling. Police made contact with Schwering and an adult female in the apartment.

Schwering, who was agitated, said he and the woman had been verbally arguing because she would not explain who she was texting. He said she tried to leave the apartment, but he prevented her by grabbing her arm. He alleged she began to punch and kick him and that he accidentally struck her in the nose, causing a nosebleed, when he tried to restrain her by the arm. He also indicated that she had scratched his right arm.

An officer spoke to the victim, who was crying and sometimes spoke in whispers. She said she had loaded her belongings into her vehicle before the argument and was texting a friend in an attempt to arrange for a place to stay. She said Schwering became verbally abusive toward her and blocked her when she tried to leave. She alleged that he grabbed her arm and began pulling her back and forth as she tried to walk away from him, causing her to fall on the floor. She said he then got on top of her and at some point she got a nosebleed.

Schwering was transported to the Mower County Jail, where he was found to be in possession of five counterfeit $100 bills. Schwering claimed he found the counterfeit currency in a trash bin near the post office.

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

Schwering will appear in court again on Feb. 6.