Holly MatkinVancouver, WA – A now-former Arby’s restaurant manager has allegedly confessed to urinating into a bag of milkshake mix that was served to as many as 40 people, according to police.
Police said they were questioning 29-year-old Steven Sharp on child pornography allegations on May 10 when he allegedly admitted to having a sexual interest in children and downloading and distributing child pornography, KOIN reported.
Investigators booked him into the Clark County Jail on nine counts related to that case, then executed a search warrant on Sharp’s digital devices.
According to court documents, police stumbled upon a 16-second video that showed someone urinating into a bag of milkshake mix while searching Sharp’s phone, The Columbian reported.
Metadata indicated the video was recorded at the Arby’s restaurant at 221 Northeast 104th Avenue on Oct. 30, 2021, according to police.
Sharp, who previously worked at the restaurant as a night manager, allegedly confessed to having urinated in the milkshake mix on at least two occasions, KOIN reported.
Police said he told them he was “almost sure” that he threw the bag away, but noted that if he didn’t, it was likely added to other milkshake mix and served to customers, according to The Columbian.
According to court documents, restaurant records indicated that at least one ice cream float and between 30 and 40 milkshakes were sold at the Arby’s location that day.
Sharp allegedly told investigators he urinated into the mix for sexual gratification and that he was working alone the night he recorded the video, The Columbian reported.
According to Clark County Public Health Director Dr. Alan Melnick, consuming urine does not pose a significant health risk.
Vancouver Police Department (VPD) Sergeant Julie Ballou said the department’s Digital Evidence Cybercrime Unit has not found any evidence indicating the Arby’s franchisee or the company were aware of Sharp’s “abhorrent actions,” according to The Columbian.
The restaurant confirmed that Sharp is no longer employed by Arby’s, KOIN reported.
Investigators are looking to speak with anyone who purchased a milkshake from the location on Oct. 30 or 31 of 2021.
Sharp appeared in Clark County Superior Court on May 13 on a charge of second-degree assault with sexual motivation in connection with the contaminated milkshake mix, The Columbian reported.
He also faces four counts of dealing depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and four counts of possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, according to KOIN.
Sharp was being held on $40,000 bail, the Huffington Post reported.
His next hearing is scheduled for May 25.
