An Albert Lea man charged with allegedly firing a handgun into the air to threaten his girlfriend last month in Austin pleaded not guilty Thursday to all charges.

Hector Adrian Rodriguez, 25, pleaded not guilty to two counts each of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, discharging a dangerous weapon and terroristic threats — all felonies.

He also pleaded not guilty to two felony drug charges for 16.8 grams of methamphetamine found on him during his arrest, as well as a number of lesser charges.

According to a court complaint, Rodriguez allegedly fired a 40-caliber handgun a number of times on the evening of Sept. 23 near Casey’s General Store on 12th Street Southwest after a confrontation between him and his 24-year-old girlfriend.

The two were at a party at 1304 16th Ave. S.W. when Rodriguez allegedly poured beer over the woman.

She began to leave, at which point Rodriguez walked up and hit her in the right side of the face, the complaint states.

The woman began to call 911, and Rodriguez fired the gun into the air. A 19-year-old friend of the woman said she saw Rodriguez initially point the gun at them until another man pushed his arm upward.

When officers arrived, Rodriguez had left the scene, but they were able to find one shell casing in the yard. There is reason to believe someone had picked up a number of other shells, police chief Paul Philipp said.

On the evening of Sept. 24, a woman who lives at 1304 16th Ave. SW called police and said Rodriguez had recently been at her residence.

The woman said he had shown her a handgun before leaving in a green car.

Rodriguez was tracked down and apprehended at gunpoint that night at around 11 p.m. at the Bremerton Apartments. He initially denied owning a gun, but told authorities on Sept. 25 that he would reveal where he hid the weapon.

Rodriguez also pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct Thursday for a separate incident in August at the Bakery Bar in Austin.

He will appear in court for a pre-trial hearing in that case April 29.

Rodriguez is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Jan. 22 on all other charges against him. A trial would then begin Feb. 1.

Rodriguez has a lengthy criminal history, which includes an August 2009 sentencing for felony drug possession in Freeborn County as well as a number of traffic violations.