LA Man Accepts Plea Deal in High-Stakes Weapons Assault Case

A Los Angeles man has pleaded guilty to charges related to a firearm incident at a Lake Havasu City restaurant. Aswaad T. Balderos, 47, entered the plea this week in Mohave Superior Court following an agreement with county prosecutors.

Balderos faced allegations of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct with a weapon, stemming from an incident on August 1. Under the terms of his plea agreement, the felony aggravated assault charge will be dismissed. Should he comply with the conditions of supervised probation, the weapons charge may be downgraded to a misdemeanor.

The confrontation occurred at Del Taco, where Balderos reportedly brandished a firearm at pedestrians he believed were too close to his vehicle. Police reports indicate he pointed the weapon at multiple individuals during the altercation.

Witnesses recorded the incident and provided descriptions to law enforcement. Following up on the leads, officers located Balderos’ vehicle in the parking lot of a nearby restaurant, where he was apprehended. A search of the vehicle yielded the firearm in question.

Balderos was booked at the Lake Havasu City Police Department and was arraigned on August 15. He is slated to face judgment and sentencing on October 21 in Mohave Superior Court.