A Kentucky man is facing criminal charges after authorities say he deliberately trapped a coworker inside an industrial steam chamber, putting her life at risk for reasons unknown to police.
Kentucky man nearly killed coworker
According to reports from 44News, police arrested Barrett Korinta for wanton endangerment and unlawful imprisonment following the alarming incident at the Land-O-Frost food processing plant in Madisonville.
Investigators revealed that Korinta and the victim were working together in a rack wash area, where industrial steam, reaching temperatures of up to 200 degrees, is used to sanitize trays.
During their shift, Korinta allegedly proposed shutting each other inside the steam chamber, an idea that quickly turned dangerous.
According to the police report, the victim found herself trapped as the door would not open from the inside, and a second exit was obstructed by pallets.
Though she was able to activate an emergency shut-off, the intense heat had already caused injuries that led to a brief loss of consciousness. She was later transported to a local hospital for medical treatment, after sustaining injuries to her face and head, including a concussion.
Kentucky man loses job after arrest
Madisonville Police Department Officer John McKnight spoke to 44News about the case, acknowledging that authorities are still trying to determine Korinta’s intent.
“We don’t know if it was malicious or if it was just one of those things where you’re not really thinking things through,” McKnight said.
“But at the end of the day, she was put in there against her will, locked in, and somehow the machine was started.”
Following the incident, Land-O-Frost made the decision to terminate Korinta’s employment, the outlet reported. He was released from jail after posting a $1,000 bond.
Man poisons coworker with superglue
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, another disturbing case of workplace sabotage has led to the arrest of a Milwaukee man accused of poisoning a coworker’s drink.
Authorities say 34-year-old Joseph R. Ross was taken into custody after allegedly tampering with a colleague’s beverage at the Wisconsin State Fair grounds.
Ross now faces a felony charge for placing foreign substances into edibles, a serious offense under Wisconsin law.
According to a criminal complaint, State Fair Park Police were alerted to the situation on March 20 when a female employee reported that, over the past few weeks, she had noticed an unusual chemical smell and taste in her drinks. Each time she consumed the tainted beverages, she reportedly became ill.
Determined to uncover the source of the problem, the woman set up a hidden surveillance camera to monitor her desk.
Footage captured by the device allegedly showed Ross pouring an unknown substance into her Coca-Cola can.
When confronted by police, Ross admitted to adding what he described as a “supplement” to his coworker’s drink.
However, a search of his desk reportedly led to the discovery of incriminating evidence, including a pair of clear protective gloves and a container of Gorilla Brand Super Glue.
Officers found the glue’s cap discarded in a nearby trash bin. The product label clearly warned that ingestion could be harmful and advised that it be kept out of children’s reach.
Authorities sent the victim’s contaminated Coke can to the Wisconsin Crime Lab for further analysis.
Ross was in custody at the Milwaukee County Jail, where he was held on a $10,000 bond. A judge has ordered that, if released, he is to have no contact with the victim. Records from the jail’s website indicate he is no longer in their custody.
If convicted, Ross could face a sentence of up to three and a half years in state prison along with a $10,000 fine.
His preliminary hearing is set for April 3, where prosecutors are expected to present further evidence against him.
