Florida Man Intentionally Coughs on Retail Employee, Complains Social Distancing is ‘Getting Out of Hand’

Orange City (WTFF) – In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak and 30-day stay at home mandate, a Florida man was arrested for aggravated assault after intentionally coughing on a store employee, deputies say.

49-year-old Christopher Canfora of DeBary was arrested shortly before 3 p.m. Tuesday at his home, according to a press release and arrest affidavit.

Deputies responded to a call around noon to Harbor Freight Tools at 2401 Enterprise Road in Orange City.

The employee reported that Canfora approached her cash register that morning and ridiculed the social distancing measures the store was taking, including tape markers on the floor to space customers six feet apart.

“This is getting out of hand, this is why everywhere I go I cough behind everyone with a mask on,” Canfora complained to the employee while going through the transaction.

Canfora then intentionally coughed on her and the register.

She said Canfora then explained that he does the same to people wearing masks when he sees them, and he was planning on going to Winn-Dixie and doing it some more.

A store manager corroborated the account and told deputies that he was making fun of the boxes on the ground to practice social distancing, and that he did indeed cough all over the counter after saying he was “over all of this.”

When deputies arrived at Canfora’s home, he denied coughing on anyone and said he did not have any symptoms associated with COVID-19. He said he didn’t expect anyone to understand his sense of humor and he couldn’t remember exactly what he said at Harbor Freight.

Canfora was transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail where he was being held on $5,000 bond. He is no longer in custody as of today.

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