Lake Elsinore Slasher Pleads Guilty

pleaded guilty today to assault with a deadly weapon and a sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegation.

Antoine Andre Wong Jr., 21, could face more than four years in prison when he's sentenced by Riverside County Superior Court Judge Michael Rushton on Aug. 29.

Wong dropped his not guilty plea following negotiations between his public defender and the District Attorney's Office. According to minutes from today's status conference at the Southwest Justice Center, prosecutors agreed to discount a prior felony strike in exchange for the defendant's acknowledgement of responsibility for the July 21 attack.

He had outstanding felony warrants for his arrest in connection with the lakeside slashing and other alleged crimes, according to sheriff's Sgt. Patrick Chavez.

Chavez said that in the predawn hours of July 21, Wong got into a confrontation with a 21-year-old swimmer who was arguing with members of his family near Lakeshore Drive and Kellogg Street.

Wong and his friends mistakenly believed the squabble was about them and approached the family, leading to an exchange of words, Chavez said.

"The mother of the victim intervened, at which time the suspect punched her," Chavez said. "The victim defended his mother and was punched by the suspect."

Wong also allegedly slashed the man, identified in court documents as Joseph M., who didn't realize he was bleeding profusely until Wong had fled, according to Chavez.

The victim was rushed to a hospital and stabilized. Wong was identified soon afterward, but remained at large for more than three weeks.

Wong has a prior misdemeanor conviction for vandalism, according to court documents.