MONROE — A Fitchburg man charged with pointing a shotgun at another man at the Argyle Rod & Gun Club in May has signed a $5,000 signature bond and has a pre-trial conference Oct. 16.

Alan Charles Soper, 56, formerly of Cross Plains, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Sept. 12. Pleas of not guilty were entered to the felony charge of substantial battery and to misdemeanor charges of intentionally pointing a firearm at a person, disorderly conduct, battery and disorderly conduct involving use of a dangerous weapon.

Conditions of Soper’s bond include no drinking or entering bars and liquor stores, no possession of firearms and no contact with the man he allegedly threatened or the woman who tried to intervene.

On Sept. 12, Soper requested his conditions of bond be changed to allow him contact with the woman. However, the prosecutor reported having no contact from the woman requesting or accepting any such change. Green County Judge Thomas Vale denied the request.

Shortly after the case was filed in July, it was reassigned to Vale because the county’s other judge, James Beer, is related to one of the victims.

The case stems from an incident May 27 at the Argyle Rod & Gun Club, W9408 Wisconsin 81, Town of Adams.

According to deputy reports filed with the criminal complaint:

Soper became upset when he found out another man at the club had given his then-girlfriend $20 to shoot clay pigeons. Soper told her if she needed money, he would give it to her, to which she responded, “You don’t own me.”

Soper then confronted the man, pointing a loaded shotgun at the man’s chest. Soper and the man struggled over the gun and in the ensuing scuffle, the man sustained a laceration on his elbow that required four stitches.

The girlfriend was accidentally knocked down and hurt her knee when she tried to break them up.

Soper left the club but returned later to apologize. When interviewed by a Green County Sheriff’s deputy at the scene, Soper said he had been using the shotgun “as an extension” of his arm to point it at the man.

“I’m sorry,” he told the deputy. “I know it’s illegal as hell.”

Heavy drinking did not appear to play a role in the incident. A bartender at the club told the deputy Soper had only two to three beers over several hours.