A man who filmed himself licking a tub of Blue Bell ice cream before putting it back in a viral video has spoken out.
Lenise Martin III told WVLA that it was a joke and a misunderstanding.
“It was a joke with no criminal intent or activity … but I was locked up with murderers and real criminals on maxim security,” said Martin in an interview with the news outlet, which showed him smiling and holding the ice cream.
The local news report didn’t offer any further details about the incident, but based on his statement and the station’s photo, it appears he bailed out of jail after his arrest.
Martin, described as a “copycat” by police, was arrested by the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office on July 6, reported WAFB.
Investigators said that management asked Martin to return to the store when they became aware of the clip, according to the report.
Louisiana man faces charges after licking Blue Bell ice cream, putting it back in freezer (seriously) ????
https://t.co/kIwlsO7idh— NOLA.com (@NOLAnews) July 8, 2019
Louisiana police said 36-year-old Martin was inspired by a viral video of a teenager licking a tub of Blue Bell Ice Cream to seek his own 15 minutes of fame.
Assumption Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested Lenise Martin III on July 6 after receiving a tip from a grocery store in Belle Rose, Commander Lonny Cavalier told CNN.
Someone recorded Martin pulling a carton of Blue Bell Ice Cream from a freezer, opening it, licking the frozen dessert and poking it with his finger before putting it back on the shelf, Cavalier said.
Lenise Martin III, 36, can be seen on video pulling out the carton of Blue Bell Ice Cream, licking it and poking it with his finger >>> https://t.co/undrHgUbYr pic.twitter.com/OEGnNnacw4
— CBS 17 (@WNCN) July 8, 2019
Detectives found evidence that Martin posted the video on Facebook, suggesting that he was seeking attention for the alleged misdeed, Cavalier said.
Martin is charged with unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety and publicity and criminal mischief for allegedly tampering with property—in this case, the ice cream, Cavalier said.
JUST IN: Police in East Texas believe they have located the store where a woman was seen in a viral video licking a container of Blue Bell ice cream and putting it back in the freezer. #KSATnews https://t.co/9pbHezRJty
— KSAT 12 (@ksatnews) July 3, 2019
Martin showed detectives a receipt for the purchase of Blue Bell Ice Cream, suggesting that he bought the contaminated ice cream, Cavalier said. But the purchase doesn’t absolve him of wrongdoing, Cavalier said, “because at any rate it’s a terrible thing to do.”
“Taking into consideration that he eventually purchased the same container is one thing,” Cavalier said.
“However he puts it on Facebook to gain this notoriety and at the end of the day, it gives other people ideas that are not the best interest of public health,” Cavalier said.
The only Blue Bell Ice Cream being licked here in Keller this holiday weekend will be the kind you’ve already purchased. Cpl. Clark and Officer Bryan are seeing to that. #NotOnOurWatch @ILoveBlueBell pic.twitter.com/9BbBqN8mh0
— Keller Police Dept (@kellerpolice) July 5, 2019
Teen Identified
Police in East Texas said that a teenager from San Antonio was identified as the suspect who took a container of Blue Bell ice cream, licked it, put the lid back on, and then placed it back in the shelf at an area Walmart.
A video of the incident has gone viral, drawing horror from people on social media.
“You foul,” says a voice off-camera in the clip.
CBS News reported that detectives have spoken with the suspect.
Epoch Times reporter Jack Phillips and The CNN Wire contributed to this report.
