News March 10, 2022
Dunkin’ Employee Sentenced for Fatally Punching Man Who Used Racial Slur
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office/Florida Department of Law Enforcement
The former Dunkin’ staffer who fatally punched a 77-year-old customer for using a racial slur has been sentenced.
On Monday, Corey Pujols, 27, was sentenced to two years of house arrest after pleading guilty to felony battery. Per court records obtained by People, the former employee of the doughnut chain will also need to complete 200 hours of community service and attend an anger management course.
Last May, the Tampa Police Department said victim Vonelle Cook, 77, went through the drive-thru at the eatery on 410 S. 50th St. and got upset over a perceived lack of service.
After Cook was asked to leave, police say he parked his car, went inside, and began arguing with Pujols.
As reported by the Tampa Bay Times at the time, Pujols told officials that Cook was a regular customer who was “extremely rude” that particular day.
Police say Cook allegedly called Pujols a racial slur and Pujols then “challenged” him to repeat it. After Cook allegedly did, Pujols punched the man on the jaw — causing him to fall and hit his head on the floor.
Cook was transported to the hospital and died days later. An autopsy report determined that Cook suffered both a skull fracture and brain contusions from the fall.
At the time, Dunkin’ released a statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened by the incident at our franchised restaurant in Tampa, Florida. The franchisee, who independently owns and operates this restaurant, is fully cooperating with the local authorities. As this is an ongoing investigation, we defer any additional questions to the police.”
Pujols was arrested that same month and charged with aggravated manslaughter. Though he initially pleaded not guilty, he later changed his plea to felony battery, a lesser charge.
While speaking to the Times this week, Grayson Kamm, a spokesman for Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren, said the “totality of the circumstances” was considered when agreeing to Pujols’ plea deal. These factors include Pujols’ age, lack of criminal history, Cook’s comments, and the fact that he did not intend to cause Cook’s death.
“Two of the primary factors were the aggressive approach the victim took toward the defendant and everyone working with the defendant, and that the victim repeatedly used possibly the most aggressive and offensive term in the English language,” Kamm said.
