Former "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" star and comic writer Nicholas Brendon has pleaded guilty to charges of criminal mischief following an incident with his girlfriend in Saratoga Springs, New York.

According to a report from the Times Union, Brendon, who played Xander on the Joss Whedon-helmed television series, was accused of choking his girlfriend, taking her car keys, and throwing her cell phone during a September altercation in a Saratoga Springs hotel room. Variety reports that the actor has been arrested four times this year amid struggles with substance and depression. He faced a felony charge over the altercation, during which he was said to have been intoxicated, but entered the guilty plea on a misdemeanor and, according to the Times Union report, will not serve jail time so long as he completes drug and alcohol counseling and avoids legal trouble for a year.

The plea was entered Friday, and Saturday the actor posted a hopeful photo of himself to Facebook, before re-entering his Florida-based rehabilitation and recovery program.

It's another beautiful day on this round floating rock we call planet earth. I'm heading back to treatment today to...Posted by Nicholas Brendon onSaturday, December 5, 2015

"Everyone agrees it was a fair disposition, including Nicholas," attorney Peter Coseo said of his client, and local authorities agreed.

"Based upon our review of the facts and circumstances of this case, and after speaking with the victim, we believe justice was served," said District Attorney Karen Heggen.