The Daily Populous Friday January 23rd, 2026 evening edition
Authored by dexerto.com and submitted by IndicaOatmeal

A Florida man is facing up to five years behind bars after allegedly turning a ketchup packet into a felony weapon thanks to a prior conviction.

Anyone who thinks a condiment can’t be used as a weapon needs to ketchup with the times.

According to police, 28-year-old Austin Simmons was arrested Monday evening after an incident inside a Florida bus terminal. Officers say Simmons appeared to be passed out when another man, Carlos Mora, stopped to check on him.

Florida man busted after alleged ketchup packet attack

As reported by The Smoking Gun, Simmons allegedly “woke up irate,” approached Mora, and threw an open ketchup packet at him. Police noted that Mora suffered “two spots of ketchup on his jacket” as a result of the incident.

The arrest affidavit states officers found the packet on the ground, already opened, with ketchup spilling out. The packet, which holds roughly 0.3 ounces, was not collected as evidence.

Police say Simmons denied striking Mora with the condiment but reportedly admitted to “giving the victim a ketchup packet.”

Although this type of incident is usually treated as a misdemeanor battery, Simmons was charged with a third-degree felony due to a prior 2019 battery conviction.

During a search following the arrest, officers also allegedly found a small amount of a chalky substance, leading to an additional charge for possession of a controlled substance.

Simmons is currently being held on a $5,000 bond covering both the battery and drug charges. If found guilty, the maximum penalty he will receive is five years behind bars.

It’s not the first time condiments have landed someone in hot water. In 2022, a Chick-fil-A manager contacted police after a couple reportedly asked for extra sauce.

And in less criminal condiment news, Heinz recently unveiled a fry holder with a built-in compartment designed to store ketchup or mayo.

androk on January 22nd, 2026 at 23:11 UTC »

5 years in prison for being an asshole. Can we pick politicians that need to go to prison too?

Dillenger69 on January 22nd, 2026 at 22:50 UTC »

That serrated edge leaves a wicked cut

AsAboveSoBelow228 on January 22nd, 2026 at 22:17 UTC »

This is a ridiculous escalation for what amounts to little more than vagrancy.