Key Takeaways:
- A Kentucky woman, Kourtney N. Stevenson, has been arrested on felony charges for allegedly spraying a substance on DoorDash customers’ food, causing them to become sick.
- The victims reported experiencing a burning sensation in their mouth, nose, throat, and stomachs, and began vomiting after eating the food.
- Stevenson was identified as the DoorDash Dasher who delivered the food and was found to have sprayed a substance from a small aerosol can attached to her keychain.
- She claimed to have used pepper spray to kill a spider, but detectives found this explanation to be unlikely due to the temperature and weather conditions.
- Stevenson has been charged with two counts of Battery Resulting in Moderate Injury and two counts of Consumer Product Tampering, and is being held without bond pending extradition to Indiana.
Introduction to the Incident
A disturbing incident has come to light in Kentucky, where a woman has been arrested on felony charges for allegedly tampering with food delivered to customers through the popular food delivery service, DoorDash. The incident has raised concerns about the safety and trustworthiness of food delivery services, and the measures that companies take to ensure the integrity of their products. According to the authorities, Kourtney N. Stevenson was arrested by the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office in Kentucky on felony Battery and Consumer Product Tampering charges, following an investigation into allegations that she sprayed a substance onto DoorDash customers’ food, causing them to become sick.
The Investigation
The investigation into the incident began on December 7, when one of the victims contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report that he and his wife had ordered food through DoorDash shortly after midnight. After eating the food, both experienced a burning sensation in their mouth, nose, throat, and stomachs, and began vomiting. The victims reviewed their doorbell camera footage and observed the DoorDash Dasher, later identified as Kourtney Stevenson, place the food off-camera on the porch and take a picture. She then sprayed a substance in the direction of the food from a small aerosol can attached to her keychain and left. Detectives subpoenaed DoorDash records, which identified Stevenson as the Dasher who delivered the food. Other investigative means corroborated her identity, and she was found to be living in Kentucky near Paducah.
The Suspect’s Statement
Stevenson was contacted by detectives and agreed to an in-person interview. During the initial phone call, she told detectives that she had been in Evansville visiting her father and was working for DoorDash during her stay. She claimed to have used pepper spray, not on the food, but to spray a spider she said she saw while making the delivery. She explained that she is terrified of spiders. However, detectives found this explanation to be unlikely, as the overnight low temperature was 35°F, at which outdoor spiders in Indiana are not active and would not be capable of crawling on exposed surfaces. Stevenson later called and said she was not going to come in for an interview as scheduled, prompting detectives to prepare an arrest affidavit and obtain a warrant for her arrest.
The Arrest and Charges
A warrant for Stevenson’s arrest was prepared and issued, charging her with two counts of Battery Resulting in Moderate Injury as Level 6 felonies and two counts of Consumer Product Tampering as Level 5 felonies. Authorities in McCracken County, KY were contacted, and Stevenson was arrested and will be held without bond pending extradition to Indiana. Bond on the warrant has been set at $3,500.00 cash. The arrest and charges have been welcomed by the authorities, who have emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and trustworthiness of food delivery services. Sheriff Noah Robinson stated, "Residents should be able to trust that the food they order for their families is safe. When someone violates that trust and endangers others, we will respond with urgency and we will pursue charges."
Conclusion and Next Steps
The incident has raised concerns about the measures that food delivery companies take to ensure the integrity of their products and the safety of their customers. The arrest and charges against Kourtney Stevenson serve as a reminder of the importance of taking allegations of food tampering seriously and pursuing those responsible to the fullest extent of the law. As the case against Stevenson proceeds, it will be important to remember that she is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The authorities have thanked the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office and the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance in making the arrest, and have emphasized their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of their residents.