Report: No charges in Florida Japanese steak house meth poisoning
No charges will be filed in the case of seven people being poisoned by a narcotic at a Japanese steak house in Pace, Fla., according to a report by the Pensacola News Journal.
A report from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and obtained by the newspaper indicates multiple restaurant employees told investigators they knew who had tainted the food, but the decision forego charges had been made due to a lack of witness information and no surveillance footage.
“It is believed based on the statements from the workers that (the employee) possibly unknowingly contaminated the food, but this cannot be confirmed,” the reporting officer wrote, according to the newspaper.
At least seven people were poisoned and sought treatment at local hospitals on June 9 after eating at Nikko’s Japanese Steak House in Pace, including Jordan and Nicole Gray and their friend, Matthew Gilley, along with a family of four which included a 12-year-old who also tested positive for meth.
All seven were reportedly sitting at a hibachi table at the restaurant the night of the incident.
The following Monday, the sheriff’s office confirmed to AL.com that the seven people had tested positive for a narcotic, but did not release specifics on the drug found during blood tests. The Grays and Gilley hired an attorney, Aaron Watson, who indicated he is considering filing a lawsuit on their behalf.
In addition to the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations and Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco investigated the incident.
The sheriff’s office says the case is closed, according to the report.