Charges Could Be Dismissed In Fairfield Smoothie-Throwing Case

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Charges could be dismissed against a Fairfield man who hurled a smoothie and shouted profane and racially charged insults during a confrontation that went viral earlier in the year, after he announced his intent to apply for an accelerated rehabilitation program.

James Iannazzo is charged with second-degree intimidation based on bigotry or bias, second-degree breach of peace and first-degree criminal trespass. He was ordered last month by Judge Ndidi Moses to stay out of the Robeks smoothie shop where the incident occurred and to refrain from contacting the victim, an employee of the business. Iannazzo appeared before Moses again Wednesday at a courthouse in Bridgeport, where his lawyer, Eugene Riccio, disclosed his intent to file for accelerated rehabilitation.

The pretrial program is available to certain defendants who are believed to be unlikely to re-offend and who have no previous record of conviction. Defendants must complete the program while under probation or supervision for up to two years before a case becomes eligible for dismissal.

Should he proceed with the program, Iannazzo may be ordered to take part in an educational program and community service. Riccio declined to comment after Wednesday’s court appearance.

The incident that led to the charges against Iannazzo occurred Jan. 22, after he purchased a smoothie at Robeks, which caused his son to have a severe allergic reaction and be taken to the hospital, according to police. Iannazzo returned to the business at 2061 Black Rock Turnpike and confronted the workers, police said.

He demanded to know who made the smoothie that triggered his son's peanut allergy, and, when employees could not answer the question, he became irate, screaming expletives, referencing one worker's immigration status and throwing the drink, striking an employee, police said. Iannazzo also tried to open a locked door to access the "employees only" area, according to police.

The confrontation was recorded and posted on TikTok, where it was viewed more than 15 million times in less than 24 hours before being removed.

Iannazzo left the scene before police arrived but was quickly identified and turned himself in, telling officers he was upset about his son's allergic reaction, according to law enforcement, who said employees reported Iannazzo asked for no peanut butter in the drink but did not mention the allergy.

Iannazzo’s next court date is set for April 8, at which time a victim’s advocate will address whether Iannazzo’s victim agrees with the request for accelerated rehabilitation.