Walmart Blue Bell 'ice cream licker' must serve 30 days in jail and repay Blue Bell $1,565

From Jefferson County District Attorney's Office:

Port Arthur, Texas – D’Adrien L’Quinn Anderson was sentenced by County Court at Law #2 Judge Terrance Holmes today for an incident that occurred August 19, 2019, at the Wal-Mart in Port Arthur, Texas. Anderson’s 180 day jail sentence was probated for 2 years. As a condition of probation, Anderson is required to pay a fine of $1000.00 and restitution in the amount of $1565.oo to Blue Bell Creameries. Anderson is also required to complete 100 hours of Community Service. Judge Holmes also ordered Anderson to serve 30 days in jail as a condition of probation beginning immediately. L-Quinn was taken immediately from the courtroom to the county jail.

Wal-Mart was first made aware of the incident when the defendant posted video of himself on the internet licking from 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 had to replace all of the ice cream in that display case at a cost of $1565.00.

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 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. 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.