Ohio Woman Who Threw Food At Chipotle Worker Was Given A Unique Sentense

Rosemary Hayne, a 39-year-old Ohio woman convicted of assault for throwing a burrito bowl at a Chipotle employee, has been given a unique sentence by Judge Timothy Gilligan of Parma Municipal Court.

Option To Work Instead Of Being Jailed

Although Hayne was initially set to serve 180 days in jail, with 90 days suspended, and pay a fine, the judge decided that because of the specifics of her crime, she could reduce her sentence by agreeing to work at a fast-food restaurant for 20 hours a week over two months.

Hayne accepted the deal. She was arrested in September after video footage of her throwing the bowl at 17-year-old Emily Russell, a former Chipotle employee, circulated on Reddit.

Viewers watched Hayne arguing with Russell before throwing the food in her face. Bystanders reported her license plate to the police who later arrested her at her home.

Despite apologizing to the court and to Russell, Hayne attempted to justify her actions. Both she and her attorney have yet to respond to requests for comment.

Watch The Video

“If I showed you how my food looked and how my food looked a week later from that same restaurant, it’s disgusting looking,” Hayne said.

“I bet you won’t be happy with the food you are going to get in the jail,” Judge Gilligan responded to Hayne.

Russell, the victim, said she left her job at Chipotle and suffers from anxiety as a result of the incident.

“I was telling the judge she left the building and went to her car. And she came back and that’s what she did to my face,” Russell recalls. “We live in a world right now where she could have done anything she wanted. She could have punched me in my face or pulled a gun out. I’m lucky that I only got a bowl thrown on my face.”

“I just didn’t want her to get a slap on the wrist like anybody else and just walk away from it,” Russell explains. “She got exactly what she deserved. She’s gonna walk in my shoes. You know, she’s working 20 hours a week. She’s lucky — I was working 65-hour weeks.”

“The health and safety of our employees is our greatest priority, and we’re pleased to see justice served for any individual that does not treat our team members with the respect they deserve,” Laurie Schalow, Chipotle’s chief corporate affairs officer, said.

How Is The Russell Doing Now?

As for how Russell is doing now, she says she found a new job at another fast-food establishment that makes her “truly happy.” Plus, the bystander who filmed her assault started a GoFundMe titled “Support Emily,” which has raised $1,892 of its $1,500 goal as of this writing.

“I’m a very introverted person and I like to keep to myself,” says Russell. “But I have never felt so loved and supported by my family and friends and from strangers across the United States.”

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