Woman Who Coughed on Produce Claiming to be Infected with Covid Sentenced Up to 2 Years in Prison

A woman who pleaded guilty to coughing and spitting on food at a supermarket in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic has been sentenced to at least a year in jail.

Thirty-seven-year-old Margaret Ann Cirko pleaded guilty to a felony count of making bomb threats. She was sentenced Tuesday in Pennsylvania.

 Authorities say Cirko entered a Gerrity’s Supermarket near Wilkes-Barre, on March 25, 2020, and purposely coughed on fresh produce and other merchandise while yelling that she had the virus.

The supermarket had to throw out more than $35,000 worth of merchandise. Cirko tested negative for COVID-19, according to her attorney.