Florida Dollar General employee sentenced for pouring bleach into co-worker’s Pepsi

DELAND, Fla. (TCD) -- A judge sentenced a man this week who was caught on surveillance video pouring bleach into his co-worker’s soda can.

The State Attorney’s Office for the 7th Circuit announced Thursday, May 18, that Jerome Ellis was sentenced to four years in state prison for poisoning of food or water after entering a no-contest plea agreement last month.

On Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Dollar General store on North Woodland Boulevard after an employee reported that he suspected he had been poisoned. The victim told authorities he was drinking a Pepsi and went to use the restroom. When he returned, the soda can smelled like bleach.

The victim took a sip from the Pepsi can but didn’t require medical treatment, the State Attorney’s Office for the 7th Circuit said.

Investigators obtained surveillance video that showed Ellis pouring bleach into the victim’s soda can. He then tried to unplug the camera system.

Ellis and the victim had reportedly gotten into an argument the day before.

Ellis initially told deputies he didn’t get into a dispute with his co-worker, and he went behind the counter with "cleaning solution and spilled some in that general area."

However, when confronted with the video surveillance footage, Ellis reportedly admitted to placing cleaning solution around the brim of the soda can because the victim was being difficult.

MORE:

• News Release — Florida’s 7th Circuit State Attorney’s Office
• Florida Dollar General employee accused of pouring bleach into co-worker’s drink, 10/25/2022 — TCD