Police say that many people became sick after being told by the caterer and guests at the February 19th wedding that the food contained marijuana.
Joycelyn Bryant (31-year-old owner) and Danya Swoboda (42-year-old bride) were both arrested and charged with delivery marijuana and culpable neglect under Florida’s antitampering laws.
CBS News reported that Seminole County Sheriff’s Office officials responded to a wedding party of around 50 people after a guest aged 41 said he felt like “there were drugs in him” despite having only eaten food.
Many guests reported feeling very sick and high at reception. Some were vomiting and asked to be taken to hospital. First responders treated others on the spot, reporting that their symptoms were similar to those of someone who has used illegal drugs. According to an affidavit filed in the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office concerning Bryant’s charges. A number of guests were admitted to the hospital for testing their urine, which was positive for cannabis.
One guest at a wedding claimed she saw Bryant put a green substance in olive oil before serving it. According to the affidavit, she said that the substance smelled and looked like marijuana “shakes,” which refers to small amounts of marijuana that have fallen off larger quantities. She said that Bryant and Svoboda later confirmed that there was marijuana in the olive oil.
According to the affidavit, another woman was present at the wedding and told authorities that her daughter fell ill during the reception. A server informed her that her daughter had likely been sickened by cannabis when she tried to get water.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office stated that the groom and bride were approached at the reception by officers. They allegedly said with a “blank expression” and a stuttering tone that they didn’t know if the food contained marijuana.
As evidence, officers took several containers of food and empty glasses from the scene.
The affidavit states that they responded to a neighboring home after the owner reported to authorities that her security camera had recorded what appeared to have been a catering company employee dumping several plastic bags onto her lawn. Before authorities arrived, the home owner removed all of the garbage including clothing and food scraps. Officials took the garbage and sent it off to a laboratory for testing.
According to the affidavit, a slice of bread and a small amount of what looked like lasagna were positive for THC.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office stated that Bryant and Svoboda can each face up to five years imprisonment and a $500 fine if convicted.
