A Florida man is facing a felony battery charge for throwing a packet of ketchup at another man.
On Jan. 19, Austin Simmons was arrested at a bus terminal in St. Petersburg after he hurled an open packet of ketchup at another man, according to an arrest affidavit sent to Oxygen.com by the St. Petersburg Police Department.
Simmons, 28, was napping at the bus terminal when he was approached by the victim, who was concerned that Simmons had passed out, read the affidavit.
“Irate” that he had been woken up, read the affidavit, Simmons walked toward the man and threw an open packet of ketchup in his direction, staining the victim’s jacket in two places. Police found the packet on the ground with ketchup “pouring” out, according to the affidavit.
Austin Simmons St. Petersburg Police Department
Simmons, who police said is a transient individual in the affidavit, admitted to giving the man a packet of ketchup, per the affidavit, but denied “striking” him with the condiment.
Simmons was also charged with possession of a controlled substance (a white, chalky substance that police identified as .3 grams of cocaine) which was determined during a search, according to a second affidavit sent to Oxygen.com by the St. Petersburg Police Department. Prosecutors allege that Simmons has a 2019 conviction for battery, according to legal documents viewed by Oxygen.com.
A public defender for Simmons did not immediately return a request for comment from Oxygen.com.
For more true crime news:
Man Fights Off 10-Foot Bull Shark by Throwing Punches
Former Reality TV Swinger Arrested for “Horrific” Sex Crimes Against a Child & Dog
“Screaming Bloody Murder”: Naked Woman Allegedly Tried Suffocating Baby by Sitting on Face
In a motion to reduce bond, the public defender wrote: “Although the case is a felony battery, the alleged facts of this case are that Mr. Simmons threw a ketchup packet at the alleged victim.” She also wrote, “Defense Counsel is not aware of a prior battery for Mr. Simmons and the arrest complaint does not list a County or State for the prior battery charge.”
Simmons is in custody on a $10,000 bond and a no-contact order was issued between Simmons and the alleged victim. Simmons will next appear in court for a motion hearing on Feb. 13.
In Florida, felony battery (prior conviction) carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, while possession of cocaine can be punishable by up to five years in prison or five years of probation.