EVANSVILLE, Ind. — A former DoorDash delivery driver has been arrested in Kentucky after allegedly pepper-spraying a couple’s food delivery in Vanderburgh County — an incident that left the victims sick and sparked national attention after being caught on doorbell camera video.
Arrest and Charges
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Kourtney N. Stevenson, was arrested Friday morning by the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office on an Indiana arrest warrant. She faces two counts of battery resulting in moderate injury and two counts of consumer product tampering, both felony charges, for the December 7 incident.
Stevenson, who has been permanently banned by DoorDash, is being held in Kentucky without bond pending extradition to Indiana, according to Vanderburgh County Sheriff Noah Robinson.
Incident Caught on Doorbell Camera
The investigation began after Mark Cardin, one of the victims, contacted the sheriff’s office to report that he and his wife had fallen ill shortly after eating their DoorDash order. The couple said they experienced burning sensations in their mouths, noses, throats, and stomachs, followed by vomiting.
When they reviewed footage from their doorbell camera, they made a disturbing discovery.
“She placed the food off camera on the porch and took a picture,” the sheriff’s office said. “She then sprayed a substance in the direction of the food from a small aerosol can attached to her keychain and left.”
The footage quickly went viral, gaining coverage from NBC News and other national outlets.
Investigation and Arrest
Detectives subpoenaed DoorDash records and identified Stevenson as the driver responsible for the delivery. They later learned she was staying near Paducah, Kentucky, and reached her by phone.
During a phone interview, Stevenson admitted to using pepper spray during the delivery but claimed she had aimed it at a spider, not the food, citing a fear of arachnids. Investigators, however, disputed her story, noting that temperatures in Evansville were around 35°F that night — conditions too cold for spiders to be active outdoors.
Stevenson later canceled a scheduled interview, prompting authorities to issue an arrest warrant. She was taken into custody on Friday and will be extradited to Indiana, where her bond is set at $3,500.
Legal Consequences
Under Indiana law, battery resulting in moderate injury is a Level 6 felony, while consumer product tampering is a Level 5 felony, punishable by one to six years in prison.
It remains unclear when Stevenson will make her initial court appearance or whether she has obtained legal representation.
DoorDash and Sheriff’s Office Response
In a statement, DoorDash condemned Stevenson’s alleged actions.
“DoorDash has absolutely zero tolerance for this type of appalling behavior,” the company said.
Sheriff Robinson praised the quick work of investigators and partner agencies, emphasizing the importance of public safety and trust.
“Vanderburgh County residents should be able to trust that the food they order for their families is safe,” Robinson said. “When someone violates that trust and endangers others, we will respond with urgency and pursue charges.”
The case remains under investigation as officials prepare for Stevenson’s extradition and court proceedings.
Stay with HonkNews.com for verified updates on the Evansville DoorDash food tampering case and the ongoing investigation into Kourtney Stevenson’s arrest.