Saginaw, MI → A Georgia woman has pleaded guilty to assault and battery after throwing a cup of coffee at a McDonald’s employee during a dispute over an online order in Buena Vista Township.
Casharra T. Brown, 49, appeared Monday, Feb. 9, before Saginaw County District Judge Elian E.H. Fichtner, where she admitted to the misdemeanor charge stemming from the Nov. 4 incident at the McDonald’s located at 3770 Dixie Highway. The charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine.
During the hearing and as reported by MLive.com, Brown acknowledged that she threw a cup of semi-warm coffee toward a female employee and that some of it struck the worker’s outer shirt. Brown stated the employee was not injured and referenced police body camera footage indicating the victim did not report burns or physical harm.
Authorities previously said Brown had placed an online order for food and became upset while seeking a refund for two sandwiches. Cell phone video captured the final moments of her interaction with the restaurant’s manager at the front counter. In the footage, the manager handed Brown a coffee and attempted to calm the situation. After a brief exchange, the manager told Brown to have a good day and turned away.
At that point, Brown removed the lid from the cup and threw the coffee toward the manager, striking her back and left arm. The victim could be heard screaming as the liquid hit her. Brown then left the restaurant. Police later identified her after the video circulated online.
Following her guilty plea, Judge Fichtner referred Brown to the Probation Department for an interview that will be used to help determine an appropriate sentence. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Brown’s attorney also requested that her bond conditions be modified to allow her to return home to Georgia. Brown had been visiting family in the Saginaw area at the time of the incident and had remained in Michigan due to restrictions preventing her from leaving the state. The judge granted the request but ordered Brown to return in person for sentencing, warning that a warrant would be issued if she fails to appear.
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