Louisiana Ice Cream Licker Facing Charges for 'Atrocious Act'

Apparently, not everyone is cool with the act of popping open some Blue Bell while inside a grocery-purveying establishment with the sole intention of applying one's tongue to the product before returning it to the shelf. In this fresh Louisiana incident, however, the ice cream enjoyer in question is facing charges for the act despite having ultimately been proven to have purchased the licked dessert item.

Lenise Martin III, 36, has been hit with charges including unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety and publicity and tampering with property after footage of his ice cream licking was shared online. Per an Associated Pressreport, the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office was contacted by the store's management team when they found out about the video. At the scene, Martin displayed a receipt in which it was apparent he had purchased the licked ice cream container, which police "confirmed" to be true before deciding to go ahead with the charges anyway.

A police spokesperson told WAFB in a separate report that licking ice cream and placing it back on the shelf, post-lick, is an "atrocious act" with the potential legal and health-related consequences.

"We will pursue anyone we see do this," the rep said. "You will be charged."

As anyone else who keeps a meticulous tab on news of the ice cream licking variety knows, this isn't the first such incident in recent weeks. The Lufkin Police Department announced earlier this month that the teen seen in a viral video licking a tub of Blue Bell at a Texas Walmart had been identified. Prior to the confirmation of the alleged ice cream botherer being a minor, reports were circulating that the person in question could have faced a sentence of up to 20 years.