'You now have coronavirus': Pinellas County man spits on child in restaurant, police say

[catbyte]

By TIFFINI THEISEN

AUG 05, 2020 AT 7:44 AM


Jason Copenhaver, 47, of Redington Shores faces misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and simple battery, according to Pinellas County Sheriff's records. (Pinellas County Sheriff's Office)

A Florida man ordered a boy at a restaurant to take off his mask and then grabbed and spit at the child, saying, "You now have coronavirus," police said.

Jason Copenhaver, 47, of Redington Shores later told Treasure Island police he has never had a coronavirus test and doesn’t know whether he’s infected, Fox 13 News reported.

Copenhaver was arrested and faces misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and simple battery, according to Pinellas County Sheriff's records. He was booked Sunday night.

The incident took place at Ricky T’s, a casual pub near the beach in southwestern Pinellas County.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/coronavirus/os-ne-man-spits-at-boy-wearing-mask-coronavirus-20200805-qro6q4yekjh3pj5svsxaacdryy-story.html

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I'm so sick of these lowlifes. I'd bet real money he's a MAGAt.

[AmyStrange]

1. Simple battery my ass...

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he should be charged with attempted murder!!
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[tableturner]

19. And child abuse!

[AmyStrange]

21. You're absolutely right, and...

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if he also has kids, someone should take them away before he kills them!!

Damn, this is so frustrating, because what more do they need before they realize this asshole is a potential child abuser, but what I want to know more than anything is why people get so freakin' angry about wearing a mask?

I can't even begin to fathom what's going through their tiny little minds as they act so violently?

I mean, I know exactly why most people get angry, but it's the reasoning behind why they use this specific reason to release that anger is what really boggles my mind!
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[Sgent]

26. I checked the FL statues

this wouldn't fall under their Child Abuse statues unless the child got sick from COVID and this guy had it.

There is a battery of a child which is a 3rd degree felony, but for bodily fluids it doesn't include saliva (includes blood, feces, etc.).

It seems like simple battery is probably the correct charge, although that is a 1st degree misdemeanor so up to a year if the judge is sufficiently pissed.

[RT Atlanta]

30. I would've been charged with that

defending my child....

I cannot fathom that level of disgust and indifference for another person's life - let alone a child's life.

[BusyBeingBest]

2. Crazy person being crazy. It's a shame that he appears

to still have teeth and his facial features haven't been rearranged.

[GeorgeGist]

3. Sheriff's lowlife also...

Attempted murder is more likely.

[tanyev]

4. If you're not infected now, there's a real good chance you'll get it in jail, dumbass.

Way to go.

[Initech]

20. I had been there, that guy's face would have been on the receiving end of my fist.

And I am not a violent person either.

[Delmette2.0]

5. Should have included attempted murder. nt

[dalton99a]

6. "When a restaurant employee intervened, Copenhaver tried to hit him"

Typical Trump trash

[bubbazero]

7. dear Mr. Copenhaver

Congratulations, you have achieved 'special educational status' Your actions, (spitting on, and most likely scaring a child--the child didn't want to shake hands-- and trying to assault another adult who attempted to intervene) have now granted you the following status. For the next 90 days, you will be the walking, talking, poster boy example of "WHY BIRTH CONTROL SHOULD BE FREE! TO ANYONE SEXUALLY ACTIVE!"

[AmyStrange]

22. That might be a little TOO much, but...

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I can certainly get behind your sentiment!
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[CanonRay]

8. I found his Facebook page, he went to Liberty

Nuff said

[AllaN01Bear]

11. if someone tried that with me , they give me permission to beat the tar out of them.

then i d get tested and sue the mo fo.

[hunter]

9. Trump's messages really resonate with the crazy-mean people.

They see Trump on television and think they've got his permission to let it all hang out.

The deplorables have always been with us, but many had the good sense to keep it to themselves before Trump cheated his way into the White House.

[AmyStrange]

23. It's interesting that they remember what he said about mask earlier, but...

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are totally ignorant of the fact that he later said he looked cool in one.

What's up with that?

(I have to admit, he does look cool in one and much, much better looking too! He's already got an invisible one covering his eyes and ears, but please Don, you should also wear one over THAT hair.)
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[bluestarone]

10. CREEPY FUCKS!

Hope he loses his job as well!

[SharonClark]

12. Thinking he's a MAGAT is correct. His facebook page Likes are interesting...

https://www.facebook.com/jason.copenhaver.581/likes_all

[catbyte]

15. He must've set it to private. I wonder why?!?

[Mossfern]

27. Yes, they're interesting

but not alarming at all.
He likes a variety of music and conservative sites (nothing way out there I think) and he supports Trump.
I saw nothing wild there that would even indicate that he would do such a horrible thing to a child.

He does like Ridgebacks though ...

[Initech]

13. What a piece of shit.

[Hela]

14. I'd go for child endangerment as well. n/t

[louis-t]

16. Needs to be punched in the face multiple times.

Sorry, he deserves it.

[NickB79]

17. As a father, I'd have torn into him like a wild animal

I don't care how big he is, I'd be in a rage.

[Sugarcoated]

18. No video at the link

[Crunchy Frog]

24. Why such minimal charges? Are they not even going to test him?

It sounds like this sort of behavior is considered practically normal for Florida.

[GoCubsGo]

25. That should be felony assault, rather than a couple of misdemeanors.

Should've charged that asshole with child endangerment, as well.

[lagomorph777]

29. +1

[lagomorph777]

28. Florida Man strikes again.