Ohio Man Burned McDonald's Employee, Sentenced To Prison

CLEVELAND — A Cleveland man has been sentenced to three years in prison for attacking a McDonald's employee with hot coffee, burning her skin. Joseph Deluca, 54, previously pleaded guilty to felonious assault and aggravated assault.

On Feb. 19, 2019, Deluca went to the McDonald's on Clark Avenue and W. 32nd Street. He pulled into the drive-thru window and ordered a cup of coffee. When he drove around, an employee handed him two cups of coffee and then realized Deluca had ordered only one cup.

When the employee asked to see Deluca's receipt, the 54-year-old got out of his car and began screaming obscenities. He then threw both cups of coffee at the employee and then drove away, prosecutors said.

The employee had first degree burns to her face, neck and shoulder, according to Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley.

Coworkers at the McDonald's called Cleveland police and officers were able to identify Deluca, and his car, through surveillance footage.

“Deluca appears to have an inability to control his temper,” said O’Malley. “Hopefully he uses the next 3 years to learn to correct that problem.”

Months later, on June 25, while driving near Broadway Avenue and E. 71st Street, Deluca hit a man with his car. After the collision, Deluca got out of his car and began kicking the man.

Eventually, the man hit by the car escaped and called police.

Investigators later determined Deluca targeted the man, a co-worker of Deluca's, for reporting a previous fight between Deluca and another employee.

Deluca later pleaded guilty to felonious assault, a second-degree felony, for the Feb. 19th incident. He was sentenced to three years in prison. He then pleaded guilty to aggraved assault, a fourth-degree felony, for the June 25 attack. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, to be served concurrently with his previous sentence.