Woman who spit on store produce while claiming she had COVID gets a year in jail

A Pennsylvania woman who pleaded guilty to coughing and spitting on supermarket produce while claiming she was COVID-positive has been sentenced to a year in jail, NPR reports.

In June, Margaret Ann Cirko, 37, pleaded guilty to one felony count of making bomb threats. According to authorities, Cirko entered a supermarket in March of 2020 and purposely coughed on fresh produce and other items while telling people she had been infected with COVID. Joe Fasula, co-owner of Gerrity’s Supermarket chain, said that over $35,000 worth of merchandise had to be thrown out as a result.

Cirko’s attorney said that she had tested negative for COVID and was intoxicated at the time of the incident. This Tuesday, she apologized for her actions, saying that she wishes she could “take it back.”

The judge sentenced her to one to two years in jail, followed by eight years of probation. She must also pay a $30,000 fine.

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.