Ronald Avers, 68, does not exactly cut the image of a major felon in his motorized scooter with the portable oxygen tank at the Shop ‘n Save store in Belleville, Illinois. However, when sewing needles (not the ones shown) were found in packaged meat, security noticed that Avers was on camera handling meats that he did not buy. At least two people were injured when eating the meat and Avers later said that he did it “just for the hell of it.” He was appropriated arrested by Special Agent Cook.
One person bit into one of the needles in a boneless chuck while the other was stuck when eating a steak. Avers faces seven tampering counts each punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine. Notably, an argument could be made for consecutive sentencing on such counts since he is accused of returning seven times to insert needles.
FBI Special Agent Daniel Cook first started to investigate when someone found a needle in ground beef. Months later, a needle was found by a worker sticking out of a pork chop. Customers then started reporting needles. That is when Avers was spotted on video cameras handling the meats. When he agreed to allow his truck to be searched, police found an open package of sewing needles. He is quoted as saying “‘Every now and then I would stick one in a hamburger. Mostly hamburger, a couple of times I did it with a roast, maybe a pork chop every now and then.'” He later said it was done “just for the hell of it” and “It was stupidity. I didn’t want to hurt nobody.”
The combination of sticking needles in meat and not wanting “to hurt nobody” is a bizarre as the image of his menace zipping around the Shop ‘n Save in his needle-laden scooter.
Source: ABC
A nasty crime with no motive except a generalized hatred. I remember when I first came over to North America around 1970 & there were several people killed by a Tylenol tamperer. I would not accept the ‘Didn’t want to hurt anybody’ nonsense from a retarded child let alone an older adult. Shame & making up damage suggested in the sentence.
If the charges are proven I would be in favor of consecutive sentences.
Hopefully no copycats attempt doing this.
Just for the Hell of it. Problem is Earthlings, there is no real Hell unless one considers the Pirate Territories of Planet Earth such as Nigeria. Ah, send him to Nigeria.
Some terrorists use expensive bombs and drones; others just use common items found around the house, with potentially similar effects.
That’s so scary. Someone could have swallowed one. And they’d all have been terrified, wondering if the needle was infected with something.
“Check him for toxo.”
It was also in Illinois that the worst incident of product tampering occurred. The Tylenol killer, James Lewis, remains free. I would make certain this shitbird is not free on Halloween.
He may just want the government to take care of him in his old age.
There is a point to this…. A snitch in time saves mine…..
Some people are just full of the devil. What a sicko.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
My thinking is that this is a public safety concern, and should be treated like arson. Seems like this is a big thing every ten years or so. I don’t like to be vindictive, but an example should be made in this case.
Reblogged this on Reality Check and commented:
Needles in his eyeballs… just for the hell of it.
Bring back the guillotine.