McDonald's Employee Charged After Assault on Teen Over Ranch Dressing

Akeena Sampson, 31, is out on bond following accusations of choking and injuring a 17-year-old customer in a St. Petersburg McDonald's incident caught on video.

Akeena Sampson, a McDonald’s employee in St. Petersburg, Florida, was charged with child abuse without great bodily harm after an altercation with a 17-year-old customer on April 4, 2025.
The incident occurred when the teenager went behind the counter to retrieve ranch dressing after reportedly not receiving assistance from staff.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Sampson grabbing the teen’s arm, choking her, and wrestling her to the ground, leaving visible injuries on the victim’s neck and elbow.
Sampson was arrested, held on a $2,500 bond, and has since been released on the condition that she has no contact with the victim.
McDonald’s has placed Sampson on administrative leave and is conducting an internal investigation while cooperating with law enforcement.