|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Nov. 5, 2009
TWO CHARGED WITH ADDING POISON TO SALSA AT MEXICAN RESTAURANT IN LENEXA, KAN.
KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Arnoldo Bazan, 30, Shawnee, Kan., Yini De La Torre, 19, Shawnee, Kan., been charged with mixing Methomyl, a poisonous substance, into salsa served to patrons at Mi Ranchito restaurant in Lenexa, Kan., U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.
Bazan and Torre, who are husband and wife, 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.
Arnoldo 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.
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.
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.
On Sept. 8, 2009, Bazan told Yini De La Torre not to speak with law enforcement investigators or she would suffer physical harm.
Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
Conspiracy: A maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison without parole and a fine up to $250,000.
Tampering with a consumer product: A maximum penalty of 20 years without parole and a fine up to $250,000 on each count.
The following agencies took part in the investigation: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration - Office of Criminal Investigation, the Environmental Protection Agency - Criminal Investigation Division, the Lenexa Police Department, the Johnson County Attorney’s Office, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the Johnson County Health Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask is prosecuting.
In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.
##