A Mississippi man accused of vandalizing a display from the Satanic Temple of Iowa in the state Capitol last December is pleading guilty to criminal mischief in exchange for a felony charge being dropped.

Michael Cassidy, a former Republican congressional candidate, was charged with a felony under under Iowa’s hate crime statute for destroying the display, which depicted the horned deity Baphomet.

Cassidy, 36, later told a conservative website that “my conscience is held captive to the word of God, not to bureaucratic decree. And so I acted.”

Previously: Man who vandalized Satanic display at Iowa Capitol says he ‘felt convicted’ to remove it

The vandalism, which occurred Dec. 14, came after intensive media coverage and consternation from political leaders over the display, which was installed under rules permitting religious groups to reserve display space in the Capitol.

Cassidy was set to stand trial June 3 after the court denied his motion to dismiss the case, but on Friday morning, his attorney filed a plea of guilty on his behalf. According to the filing, Cassidy admits to third-degree criminal mischief, but as an aggravated misdemeanor, without the hate crime enhancement.

He admits in writing that he “partially dismantled a display in the Iowa State Capitol Building, without a right/license to do so,” and that the damage caused was greater than $750.

The agreement calls for Cassidy to receive a deferred judgment with two years probation, an $855 civil penalty, and to pay restitution in an amount to be determined.

He would also be required to participate in a victim-offender dialogue with representatives of the Satanic Temple if requested. The court is not bound to follow the sentencing recommendation in the plea.

Cassidy also in the filing requests immediate sentencing and waives his right to address the court.

The Register has reached out to Cassidy’s attorney and the Polk County Attorney’s Office for comment.

William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Capitol Satanic Temple display vandalism suspect pleads guilty