Couple charged in attack of teen Sesame Place worker over mask requirement

A New York couple has been charged in an attack on a 17-year-old employee at the Sesame Place amusement park in Pennsylvania earlier this month. 

Authorities say Troy McCoy, 39, and Shakkera Bonds, 31, both of the Bronx, punched the teenager on Aug. 9 during a visit to the park in Langhorne after he reminded them to wear a face mask. The park requires face coverings due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Police say the teenager asked the couple to comply with the policy earlier in the day, and when they saw the employee again, they both struck him in the face, CBS News reported.

Lt. Stephen Forman of the Middletown Township Police Department confirmed that when another employee attempted to intervene, Bonds punched that employee as well, according to CBS.

McCoy and Bonds were each charged with criminal conspiracy, disorderly conduct and harassment, NBC News reported. McCoy was also charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, while Bonds faces an additional charge of simple assault.

McCoy was apprehended by authorities Wednesday. Bonds is expected to turn herself in.

Federal authorities took McCoy into custody after serving an arrest warrant at his home. He allegedly attempted to “barricade himself in the residence,” although law enforcement officials were still able to enter his home, CBS reported.

The teenage employee spent a week in the hospital recovering from surgery on his jaw and damage to his teeth. His jaw is now wired shut, Forman told CBS.

Sesame Place said in a statement to the outlet Wednesday: “We want to thank the law enforcement agencies involved for their quick actions and support. We have issued a lifetime ban to the individuals involved for all of our parks across the country.” 

The Hill has reached out to Middletown police and Sesame Place for comment.