PARIS — Police say they charged a Waterford man with felony assault for choking his girlfriend following an argument. 

Brennden A. Rader made an initial appearance in Oxford County Unified Court on Monday afternoon on a felony charge of aggravated assault and a misdemeanor count of domestic violence assault. 

According to police, on July 8, Rader, 23, got into a verbal argument with his 21-year old girlfriend, whom he grabbed by the hair, threw to the ground and began choking.

According to a witness statement, Rader told her, “Sorry. Just die.”

The woman, who claimed Rader had consumed two bottles of vodka and was intoxicated, escaped and fled into the woods. A passing motorist discovered her hunched along the side of the road and sheltered her until police arrived, according to court documents. 

On Monday, a judge set Rader’s bail at $5,000 cash or a pretrial contract and $250 cash. 

He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 26.