Starbucks sued by Nevada trooper who alleges iced coffee contained meth

Lawsuit factors to ‘antipolice’ practices at time of incident

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Nevada Freeway Patrol trooper has filed a lawsuit towards Starbucks after he was served an iced espresso that contained methamphetamine, in response to courtroom paperwork.

Steven J. Darnell, 32, grew to become sick after taking two to 3 drinks of an iced espresso he obtained on the Starbucks at 8975 S. Japanese Ave. on Sept. 11, 2020, in response to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in Clark County District Court docket.

“We’re conscious of the claims of this incident, which passed off in 2020, and imagine they’re with out advantage. We’re ready to defend our case in courtroom,” in response to a Starbucks spokesperson reached Friday afternoon.

Darnell is represented by Kevin Hanratty of the Las Vegas regulation agency Hanratty Legislation Group.

“Inside a brief time frame after ingesting the iced espresso, plaintiff grew to become sick with ever worsening signs over the following couple of hours, together with however not restricted to burning sensations all through the physique, upset abdomen, and capturing ache to his head. The burning sensations all through his extremities lasted for about 2 weeks following the incident,” in response to the lawsuit.

Allegations within the lawsuit point out Darnell believes he was focused as a result of he’s a member of the regulation enforcement neighborhood and Starbucks has “condoned and inspired antipolice rhetoric” to defund police companies. Darnell was in uniform when he purchased the drink.

Darnell was “in full Nevada Freeway Patrol uniform in a marked police car with emergency mild bar and went by way of the drive-thru,” the lawsuit states. He ordered an iced espresso “as was his customized to take action.”

Darnell continues to be a trooper with the Nevada State Police Freeway Patrol division, in response to Hanratty. Darnell lives within the Las Vegas valley.

Darnell suffered bodily and emotional accidents, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit outlines eight counts:

• Negligence
• Assault
• Vicarious Legal responsibility/Respondent Superior
• Negligent Hiring, Coaching, Supervision, Retention
• Intentional Infliction of Emotional Misery
• Negligent Infliction of Emotional Misery
• Breach of Guarantee of Merchantability
• Breach of Implied Guarantee of Health for a Specific Function
• Punitive Damages

The lawsuit seeks damages in extra of $15,000.