St. Petersburg (WTFF) – A Florida transient who attacked a McDonald’s worker because he couldn’t find a straw has been sentenced to 60 days in jail.
According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, Daniel Taylor went to the McDonald’s at 4595 34th St. S on New Year’s Eve around 6:50 pm and “got into a verbal argument about straws.”
The attack was caught on video and posted to social media.
After being told “they were no longer allowed to put straws out,” the 40-year-old transient reached over the counter and grabbed the 20-year-old employee, Yasmine James.
“I didn’t have any control over my body when he grabbed me. Like I’m scared, like why are you grabbing me, I just didn’t understand his intentions. Even though we were having a verbal conversation, I don’t think it was that for him to grab me,” the brave Floridian told ABC Action News.
Turns out she has boxing experience, and “knew how to protect herself,” reports Tampa Bay Times.
She can be seen defending herself until another worker intervenes.
The feral transient “continued to yell at employees” after the manager asked him to leave, according to police.
Daniel Taylor also reportedly kicked another female employee in the stomach on his way out, per the Tampa Bay Times.
He called 911 and claimed to be the victim of an “unarmed robbery” shortly after the incident. He was arrested when officers recognized him from the McDonald’s video.
So far he’s served 58 of the 60 days he was sentenced to after pleading no contest to two counts of battery. He’s subject to a mental evaluation and will have to pay $1,000 in fines or volunteer nearly 120 hours of community service.
Daniel Taylor was born in West Virginia, according to court records.
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He had no right to put his hands on the young lady. She was right to defend herself. He should have received more than sixty days and a fine. He should pay her more for punitive damages, also mental anguish. It didn’t matter that she’s Young, he could have given her a heart attack, or caused her to have a painic attack.
I do however feel that if the roles were reversed she would have gotten more time.