New Mexico Woman Regrets Sampling Yogurt At Farmers' Market

February 9, 2011

DNA Links Grocery Clerk To Semen Found In Yogurt Sample Eaten By Woman Shopper

Laboratory tests have confirmed that semen found in a yogurt sample consumed by a New Mexico woman matches the DNA of a grocery store employee who was suspected in the tainting case, according to police.

The results linking Anthony Garcia, 31, to the revolting January 25 incident at Albuquerque’s Sunflower Farmers Market were received today by investigators, according to Sergeant Trish Hoffman, an Albuquerque Police Department spokesperson.

Hoffman added that probers are mulling whether to file state or federal charges against Garcia in connection with the yogurt adulteration.

A January 28 search warrant authorized police to obtain blood and DNA samples from Garcia, who was arrested on unrelated charges after the incident at the market. The warrant was secured after it was determined that the yogurt sample tested positive for “sperm cells” and saliva.

According to a police report, the female victim, 28, was shopping with her daughter when approached by a “pushy” Garcia, who offered her the yogurt sample. After tasting it, the woman immediately thought the sample tasted “gross and disgusting” and, cops noted, “said it tasted like ‘semen.’”