The yard-proud neighbor of Sen. Rand Paul was slapped with a federal assault charge for tackling the Kentucky Republican after a long-simmering beef about landscaping, authorities said Friday.

Rene A. Boucher, 58, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, was charged with assaulting a member of Congress resulting in personal injury, a felony, said the office of Josh Minkler, the US Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

“Assaulting a member of Congress is an offense we take very seriously,” Minkler said in a statement. “Those who choose to commit such an act will be held accountable.”

According to court documents, Boucher and the senator are neighbors in Bowling Green.

Last Nov. 3, Paul was mowing his yard while wearing headphones, and Boucher saw him stacking brush near his property and “had enough.”

Boucher then sprinted into Paul’s yard in the gated community and tackled him from behind, according to court documents.

Paul suffered multiple fractured ribs and later developed pneumonia and had to be hospitalized.

Boucher admitted the assault but denied it was politically motivated.

Neighbors told reporters after the incident that Boucher had long resented what he called Paul’s haphazard landscaping.

A federal prosecutor in Indiana was assigned the case after his counterpart in Kentucky recused himself.

Boucher has signed a plea agreement, but no court or sentencing date have been set.

This case was investigated by the Louisville office of the FBI.

“Just as we are committed to protecting the American people, the FBI will not tolerate violence directed against members of Congress,” said Special Agent in Charge Amy S. Hess of the FBI’s Louisville field office. “Those who choose to assault any federal official are certain to face serious consequences.”

Boucher faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.