Man Assaulting McDonald's Employee In Viral Video Pleads Guilty

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- The St. Petersburg man accused of assaulting a McDonald's employee when he couldn't find a plastic straw for his drink has pleaded guilty to two counts of simple battery.

A Pinellas County judge sentenced Daniel Willis Taylor, 40, to 60 days in jail but he only had to serve two days because he'd already been in jail for 58 days. He was also ordered to undergo a mental evaluation and pay $1,000 in fines or do 120 hours of community service.

A video of the Dec. 31 encounter between Taylor and employee Yasmine James, 20, taken by a customer at the McDonald's at 4595 34th St. S., went viral and resulted in a walk-out by Tampa Bay McDonald's employees demanding better protections.

Around 6:50 p.m. on Dec. 31, Taylor began yelling at James, who was working behind the counter, when he couldn't find a plastic straw for the drink he'd ordered. Earlier in December, the St. Petersburg City Council voted to ban the use of plastic straws in the city due to their potential hazards to wildlife and marine life. In keeping with the new ordinance, the management of the McDonald's stopped putting out plastic straws for customers although straws were still available upon request.

Taylor reportedly became angry when he couldn't find a straw. He grabbed James by her shirt collar and partially pulled her over the counter in the restaurant. James responded by punching Taylor in the face.

James, who was working at McDonald's to save money to attend nursing school, was so shook up by the incident she took a leave of absence from work with McDonald's blessing to recuperate from the physical and emotional repercussions.

"He grabbed me and scared me because I didn't know if he had a knife or a gun or what," said James. "I just got him off me the best way I knew how."

The manager ordered Taylor to leave but, before he walked out of the restaurant, witnesses said he kicked another employee, Tateona Bell, 23, in the stomach.

A GoFundMe account for James has raised nearly $7,500 to pay for her medical expenses and time out of work.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

See related stories:

St. Pete Straw Ban Leads To Viral Confrontation At McDonald's

St. Pete 1st West Coast City To Ban Plastic Straws, Styrofoam

Video: Man Accused Of Attacking McDonald's Workers Over Straw

Tampa Bay McDonald's Workers Walk Out Following Release Of Video

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