ALTA, IA (Northwestiowanow) – An Alta bar owner is facing a harassment charge after authorities say he made a threatening and racially charged remark to a woman earlier this month.

According to court records, law enforcement responded to the Century Bar in Alta on August 15 after a woman reported that a man had made a threatening statement.

Allegedly, she says she heard a statement from the bar’s owner, threatening he would rape the next Mexican woman he encountered.

Investigators said the comment left the woman upset and frightened to the point of crying.

43-year-old Ryan Dean Diischer of Aurelia, has since been formally charged with third-degree harassment, a simple misdemeanor, in connection with the incident.

Court records show Diischer has entered a not guilty plea. No disposition has been entered in the case.

A court appearance is scheduled for September 16 in Buena Vista County District Court.