Man admits guilt in attack

A South Bay man has pleaded guilty to felony battery with serious injury to a man who was running for the Sweetwater Union High School board when he was punched and kicked at a fast food restaurant.

Andrew Valencia, 30, had to get root canal treatment for displaced teeth and stitches to repair a split lip after the Oct. 24, 2010, incident at around 1:35 a.m. at a Jack in the Box restaurant in Imperial Beach.

Andrew Fisak, 25, will be sentenced on June 6 in Chula Vista Superior Court.

Deputy District Attorney Trisha Amador said Fisak could get probation but the maximum sentence is four years in prison.

Fisak struck Valencia for no apparent reason. A worker testified Fisak started the fight and appeared to be intoxicated. If he is placed on probation, Fisak could be barred from drinking or possessing alcohol for three years.

“I’m just glad it’s over,” said Valencia on April 23. “I’m glad this litigation is no longer costing the taxpayers money.”

“I don’t know what his motive was, if there was a motive,” he said.

Valencia says he will speak at the sentencing and has not yet decided what type of sentence he will suggest. The prosecutor is going over Valencia’s medical expenses, which Fisak may be ordered to pay.

Valencia, a Republican, ran against incumbent Arlie Ricasa in the non-partisan race of the Sweetwater Union High School board in the Nov. 2 election. Ricasa defeated him with 58 percent of the vote to Valencia’s 41 percent.

Fisak remains free on $35,000 bond.