Man arrested for throwing hot coffee in the face of McDonald's employee

Elise Solé
Joseph Deluca of Cleveland, Ohio threw two cups of hot coffee at a McDonald’s employee when she asked to review his receipt. (Screenshot: Fox 8)
Joseph Deluca of Cleveland, Ohio threw two cups of hot coffee at a McDonald’s employee when she asked to review his receipt. (Screenshot: Fox 8)

A man could serve 16 years in prison for throwing hot coffee on a McDonald’s employee when she asked to see his receipt.

Joseph Deluca, 54, of Cleveland, Ohio, was arrested on March 5th for injuring the fast-food worker in February. According to Fox 8, Deluca pulled up to the restaurant’s drive-thru window at 12:30 p.m. and ordered one cup of coffee. The employee, 48, accidentally handed him two cups and when she re-checked his order, she asked to see Deluca’s receipt.

Deluca reportedly laughed and said he ordered both cups. After the employee asked for his receipt again, Deluca whipped the tray of hot coffee in her face before driving off. The store’s security cameras archived the excruciating injury that hospitalized the employee at MetroHealth Medical Center for neck and shoulder pain.


When Deluca was pulled over by Newburgh Heights police officers, he confessed to the wrong crime.

“I know, I beat somebody up,” Deluca sheepishly told officers, his confession recorded on body cameras. “I beat somebody up, family member or something…he put his hands on my girlfriend and I punched him, and it turned out to be felonious I guess.”

The alleged victim did not reply to a message from Yahoo Lifestyle. And a McDonald’s spokesperson did not return media requests.

Erin Stone of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Office said, according to Fox 8:

“What is troubling with a case like this is you have someone who is going to work just to do her job. She asks to see his receipt and this angers him immensely and he throws two cups of hot coffee in her face.”

The prosecutor’s office tells Yahoo Lifestyle the victim had first-degree burns on her face, neck and shoulder. Deluca was indicted on two counts of second-degree felonious assault. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. On April 8, Deluca will be assigned a public defender at his arraignment.

And, says the spokesperson, there is no comment whether Deluca will be charged for allegedly beating up his family member.

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