Ex-Worker Gets 1 1/2 Years for Spitting on Police Officer's Burger

[Champ]

RIO RANCHO, N.M. - A former fast food restaurant worker has earned a 1 1/2-year jail sentence for spitting into a police officer's hamburger.

Marcus Calderon, 19, also received a 3-year sentence for conspiracy to commit an aggravated burglary in an unrelated case.

District Attorney Lemuel Martinez said all but 364 days of the jail time have been suspended. Calderon will serve 3 1/2 years on supervised probation when released and must pay restitution.

"He also has to write letters of apology to everyone he harmed," Martinez said. "Oh, he also can't work in the food service industry for two years after he leaves jail."

Calderon was sentenced Monday by District Judge George P. Eichwald.

alderon pleaded guilty in October to battery on a Rio Rancho police officer for spitting into the officer's hamburger in March. The officer had ordered dinner at the restaurant's drive-through window and discovered the spit after biting into the burger.

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