14-year-old boy charged after coughing on produce as prank, sheriff says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A 14-year-old boy was charged after he allegedly coughed on produce as a prank at a grocery store in north Harris County, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

In a Facebook post written by Gonzalez, he said deputies responded to a disturbance call at the Food City located at 5230 Aldine Mail Route Road.



Gonzalez said the teen 'intentionally coughed on produce.'

"Apparently it was a prank," wrote Gonzalez. "Not a very funny one. The teen was charged with Tampering with Consumer Products."

Last week, a New Jersey man was accused of coughing on a store employee and telling the woman he had the novel coronavirus. According to officials, the man allegedly stepped forward to within 3 feet of her, leaned toward her, and purposely coughed.

READ MORE: NJ man charged with terroristic threats allegedly coughed on Wegmans worker, said he had COVID-19