A Rose Creek man who allegedly punched and choked a woman and forced her to stay at home on Oct. 24, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Mower County Court.

Aaron Thomas Bixby, 37, pleaded not guilty to domestic assault by strangulation and false imprisonment, both felonies, and gross misdemeanor domestic assault for a subsequent violation.

The victim said she argued with Bixby while riding back from Rochester with him. The victim said Bixby pulled over near Rose Creek, choked her until she couldn’t breathe and punched her several times in the face, according to the court complaint.

She adds she later tried to go for a walk; however, Bixby picked her up and carried her back into the house and would not let her leave.

Bixby later tried to apologize, according to the complaint, however the victim ignored his apologize and angered him further.

Bixby reportedly grabbed the woman’s arm so hard she thought he had broken it. The woman went to Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin the next day where an officer learned about the alleged assault and photographed the injuries, which included a black eye and bruises on her neck and arm. The officer later arrested Bixby at the Holiday Inn in Austin.

Bixby’s next court date is set for Feb. 22.