Randall Bernard Nelson, 55, of Austin pleaded guilty to felony terroristic threats-explosives/incendiary device and felony domestic assault by strangulation as part of a plea agreement on Tuesday in Mower County District Court. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges on June 28.

A charge of misdemeanor domestic assault will be dismissed at the sentencing.

Nelson was arrested on June 13 after he made a comment about an explosive while at the Mower County Courthouse. According to court documents, 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 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, court documents state. They also indicated he spoke about the C-4 exploding and not having any detonators in a voice loud enough for others in the lobby to hear.

Law enforcement also took a report from a woman who said Nelson had assaulted her on or about May 26, court documents state. She said 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. He also pleaded guilty on Tuesday to gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation of his license-inimical to public safety and misdemeanor violating a domestic abuse order of protection.

Nelson will be sentenced on Dec. 27.