As the coronavirus outbreak stokes concerns over public hygiene practices, one man has been jailed for taking part in a highly unsanitary viral challenge.
A 24-year-old Texas man was sentenced to 30 days in jail for going to a Walmart, opening a carton of ice cream, licking it and putting it back in the freezer.
D’Adrien Anderson, of Port Arthur, Texas, was also sentenced on March 4 to 180 days probation over the next two years and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service, CBS affiliate KWTX-TV reported.
“As a condition of probation, Anderson is required to pay a fine of $1,000 and restitution in the amount of $1,565 to Blue Bell Creameries,” the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office said in a press release.
Anderson pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief on Jan. 15 and was sentenced by Judge Terrance Holmes.
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Authorities became aware of Anderson’s actions after he posted a video of the stunt to Facebook in August.
Do y’all think getting 30 days in jail for licking ice cream is too much? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/eBtlZSE3q9
— George Jarjour (@GeorgeOnTap) March 7, 2020
“The video showed Anderson removing the ice cream carton from the display case, removing the lid, licking the ice cream and also putting his finger into the ice cream,” a release from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office said. “Anderson then placed the carton back in the cooler and closed the door.”
Anderson told authorities he went back and purchased what looked like a half-gallon container of ice cream.
Because of the health and safety concerns caused by Anderson’s actions, the prosecutor’s office said, Blue Bell Creameries had to replace all of the ice cream in the freezer at a cost of $1,565.
“The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office appropriately treated this incident as much more than a stunt,” the prosecutor’s office release said. “Anderson’s actions caused public concerns about the safety and quality of consumer products offered for public consumption, impacted Blue Bell consumer confidence and caused the company financial loss. This type of activity will not be tolerated.”
Anderson’s stunt was part of a trend of “licking challenge” videos that proliferated on social media last year.
A Florida mother was arrested in July after video of her daughter licking a tongue depressor and putting it back at a Jacksonville medical center went viral.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott praised police in July when they tracked down another teen who licked Blue Bell ice cream in a Walmart freezer.
Police track down Texas teen who licked Blue Bell ice cream then put it back in Walmart freezer
Glad they caught this despicable criminal
Behavior like this is unacceptable in Texas & is rightfully punished
Don't Mess With Texas… or with Blue Bellhttps://t.co/qLTVIa4uv1
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 8, 2019
“Don’t Mess With Texas… or with Blue Bell,” Abbott warned.
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