KANSAS CITY, KAN -
A metro couple faces federal tampering charges in connection to an outbreak of food poisoning at an area Mexican restaurant, prosecutors said on Thursday.
Arnoldo Bazan, 30, and Yini De La Torre, 19, both of Shawnee, Kan., have been charged with mixing Methomyl, a poisonous substance, into salsa served to patrons at Mi Ranchito restaurant in Lenexa, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.
The husband and wife duo are charged with one count of conspiring to recklessly endanger other people by conspiring to tamper with a consumer product, and two counts of tampering with a consumer product.
According to prosecutors, Bazan was employed at a Mi Ranchito restaurant in Olathe, Kan., until June 27, 2009. Yini De La Torre, was employed at the Mi Ranchito in Lenexa until Aug. 30, 2009.
The indictment alleges Arnoldo Bazan perceived the owner of Mi Ranchito restaurants as responsible for Bazan losing his job and his vehicle. Bazan and De La Torre devised a plan to use a Methomyl-based pesticide to poison patrons of the restaurant in hopes that the owner of Mi Ranchito would be blamed and suffer financial harm.
Prosecutors allege that during July 2009, Arnoldo Bazan followed the owner of the Mi Ranchito restaurant. An anonymous notice was sent to the Mi Ranchito Web site threatening harm if Bazan's vehicle were not returned. On Aug. 10, 2009, Yini De La Torre placed Methomyl into the salsa at the Mi Ranchito restaurant in Lenexa. On Aug. 11, 2009, twelve patrons immediately suffered nausea, abdominal cramps, weakness, sweating and discomfort.
The indictment alleges that on Aug. 28, 2009, Arnoldo Bazan sent word to the owner of Mi Ranchito by way of another person that "the worst" was yet to come. On Aug. 30, 2009, Yini De La Torre again placed Methomyl into salsa at the Mi Ranchito restaurant in Lenexa. On that day, 36 patrons immediately suffered nausea, abdominal cramps, weakness, sweating and chest discomfort. Also on that day, Yini De La Torre voluntarily approached reporters after patrons were transported to area hospitals and stated that the salsa was the cause of the problem.
Prosecutors say that a few days after that attack, Bazan told Yini De La Torre not to speak with law enforcement investigators or she would suffer physical harm.
If convicted, the couple could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Arnoldo Bazan, 30, and Yini De La Torre, 19, both of Shawnee, Kan., have been charged with mixing Methomyl, a poisonous substance, into salsa served to patrons at Mi Ranchito restaurant in Lenexa, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.
The husband and wife duo are charged with one count of conspiring to recklessly endanger other people by conspiring to tamper with a consumer product, and two counts of tampering with a consumer product.
According to prosecutors, Bazan was employed at a Mi Ranchito restaurant in Olathe, Kan., until June 27, 2009. Yini De La Torre, was employed at the Mi Ranchito in Lenexa until Aug. 30, 2009.
The indictment alleges Arnoldo Bazan perceived the owner of Mi Ranchito restaurants as responsible for Bazan losing his job and his vehicle. Bazan and De La Torre devised a plan to use a Methomyl-based pesticide to poison patrons of the restaurant in hopes that the owner of Mi Ranchito would be blamed and suffer financial harm.
Prosecutors allege that during July 2009, Arnoldo Bazan followed the owner of the Mi Ranchito restaurant. An anonymous notice was sent to the Mi Ranchito Web site threatening harm if Bazan's vehicle were not returned. On Aug. 10, 2009, Yini De La Torre placed Methomyl into the salsa at the Mi Ranchito restaurant in Lenexa. On Aug. 11, 2009, twelve patrons immediately suffered nausea, abdominal cramps, weakness, sweating and discomfort.
The indictment alleges that on Aug. 28, 2009, Arnoldo Bazan sent word to the owner of Mi Ranchito by way of another person that "the worst" was yet to come. On Aug. 30, 2009, Yini De La Torre again placed Methomyl into salsa at the Mi Ranchito restaurant in Lenexa. On that day, 36 patrons immediately suffered nausea, abdominal cramps, weakness, sweating and chest discomfort. Also on that day, Yini De La Torre voluntarily approached reporters after patrons were transported to area hospitals and stated that the salsa was the cause of the problem.
Prosecutors say that a few days after that attack, Bazan told Yini De La Torre not to speak with law enforcement investigators or she would suffer physical harm.
If convicted, the couple could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
