Blue Bell ice cream licker sentenced to jail Wednesday
Published 4:20 pm Wednesday, March 4, 2020
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D’Adrien L’Quinn Anderson was sentenced Wednesday by County Court at Law Judge Terrance Holmes for an Aug. 19 ice cream-licking incident at Walmart in Port Arthur.
Anderson’s 180-day jail sentence was probated for two years. As a condition of probation, Anderson is required to pay a fine of $1000 and restitution in the amount of $1,565 to Blue Bell Creameries.
Anderson is also required to complete 100 hours of Community Service. Holmes also ordered Anderson to serve 30 days in jail as a condition of probation beginning immediately.
Anderson was taken immediately from the courtroom to the county jail.
Walmart was first made aware of the incident when the defendant posted video of himself on the internet licking an open carton of Blue Bell ice cream. 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.
Anderson then placed the carton back in the cooler and closed the door. Anderson later claimed to have purchased the ice cream. As a result of the health and safety questions raised by the actions of Anderson, Blue Bell Creameries replaced all of the ice cream in that display case at a cost of $1565.
This case was investigated by the Port Arthur Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Raymond Shearer.
The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office released a statement saying it “appropriately” treated this incident as much more than a stunt.
“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,” the D.A.’s office said. “This type of activity will not be tolerated. The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and the Port Arthur Police Department want the public to know that such cases will be taken seriously and appropriate criminal charges will be filed.”