COEUR d’ALENE — A man is facing felony charges after police said he choked his estranged wife in a motel room.

Craig A. Hegel, 49, of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with attempted strangulation and domestic battery, as well as a persistent violator enhancement.

Police responded Nov. 11 to a report of a domestic dispute at a Coeur d’Alene motel.

A woman who identified herself as Hegel’s wife said the couple had been separated since August due to a no contact order between them. She told police she went to the motel uninvited in order to see Hegel and they argued.

The woman said Hegel backed her into a corner during the argument and she scratched him, after which they both calmed down.

Later, the woman said, the pair argued again. This time, Hegel allegedly pinned the woman to the bed and pressed his forearm to her neck, making it difficult for her to breathe. She said Hegel did this three times, according to court documents.

She had red marks on her neck and a scratch on her forearm, police said.

When questioned by police, Hegel reportedly said the woman hit and scratched him during the argument. He had scratches on his face, according to court documents.

Hegel said he “might have used his forearm” to push the woman away from him but denied attempting to choke her, court documents said.

Police arrested Hegel at the scene.

Judge James Combo ordered Thursday that Hegel be held on $100,000 bail.

Hegel is considered a persistent violator. He was previously convicted of delivery of a controlled substance in 2013, possession of a controlled substance in 2016, theft in 2015 and witness intimidation in 2018, according to court documents.