SANTA ANA, Calif. – A transient man was convicted today for attacking and critically injuring an 83-year-old man. Demarrea Chante Barnes, 29, pleaded guilty today to one felony count of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, one felony count of elder and dependent adult abuse, a sentencing enhancement for great bodily injury, and three state prison priors for drug possession in 2005 and 2008, and assault on a peace officer with injury in 2012. He is expected to be sentenced to nine years in state prison at his sentencing Feb. 25, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-49, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

At approximately 6:00 a.m. on Sept. 25, 2015, John Doe, 83, drove to a strip mall on West Edinger Street in Santa Ana to get his daily newspaper and coffee. As John Doe was walking in the parking lot to the coffee shop, Barnes attacked the victim, punched him in the face and knocked the victim to the ground. The defendant kicked John Doe multiple times and then fled the scene.

The critically injured victim was transported to a local hospital and treated for broken facial bones and a brain hemorrhage.

The Santa Ana Police Department investigated this case and released a surveillance tape depicting part of the attack. Barnes was identified and arrested the next day, Sept. 26, 2015.

Deputy District Attorney Renee Jones of the Special Prosecutions Unit is prosecuting this case.

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 15CF2232 / February 04, 2016