Delivery driver's friend dipped testicles in salsa because customer didn't tip enough, police say
Video of bizarre incident goes viral on Facebook, leading to police investigation
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man who was filmed allegedly dipping his testicles in salsa before delivering it to a customer who had ordered Mexican food online could face up to 15 years in prison.
Howard Webb, 31, was arrested by police in Tennessee on Friday after a video of a man contaminating the tomato dip went viral on Facebook.
In the bizarre footage, a man sat in the passenger seat of a car appears to pull down his trousers before lowering his testicles into the polystyrene container of salsa.
The video was taken by Mr Webb’s friend, who was on her way to deliver the customer’s takeaway from a local Mexican restaurant in Maryville, Tennessee.
It appears she encouraged Mr Webb to taint the dip with his genitals to punish the unsuspecting customer for only offering a small tip.
“This is what you get when you give an 89 cent tip for an almost 30 minute drive,” the driver can be heard saying in the 14-second clip.
As her friend dips his testicles into the salsa he can be heard saying “Oh, oh, it feels good”.
Local officers arrested Mr Webb on Friday and he is currently in custody, charged with “adulteration of food, liquids or pharmaceuticals”.
If convicted, he could face a sentence of between three and 15 years in jail and a fine up to $10,000.
The online delivery service which contracted the driver, Dinner Delivered, has said it has fired her and passed on her details to the authorities as well.
Maryville police chief Tony Crisp told a local newspaper, The Daily Times, their investigation was opened after Dinner Delivered got in touch.
The delivery driver, who has not been named, has not been charged but inquiries continue.
Dinner Delivered has also issued a refund to the customer who unwittingly consumed the tainted salsa.
In a statement on their Facebook page, the company said a “single, rogue independent contractor has engaged in criminal behaviour that has resulted in indecent acts performed to customer orders, as well as unverified claims of inserting poisonous substances inside customer drinks”.
“We deeply and sincerely apologise for the behaviour of this lone outlier and any affected by it, and will be re-examining both our training and hiring policies to help ensure a situation like this does not occur again in the future.”
Mr Webb appeared before the local courts on Tuesday and had a preliminary hearing set for 12 March.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.