Sheriff Accused Of Ridiculing Pregnant Woman Arrested At McDonald’s

Lakeland, Florida -- The lawyer of a Florida woman who was arrested last week in connection with an incident at a McDonald’s location has accused the Polk County sheriff of ridiculing and mocking her.

Tianis Jones, 22, was arrested on May 19 after being accused of having an outburst at a McDonald’s in Lakeland, Florida. She allegedly became “enraged” after an issue with her online order, WRBL reported.

A video of the incident showed Jones slapping items off the counter before going behind the register and tossing cups on the floor. She also called 911 during the incident to complain and stopped to twerk before leaving the restaurant.

Following her arrest, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd made remarks that did not sit well with Jones, including referring to the woman as “McMad” and saying that she was “a few fries short of a Happy Meal.”

“I don’t know why this woman got as angry as she was, but as the saying goes, she’s a few fries short of a Happy Meal,” the sheriff was quoted as saying by the outlet during a news conference to discuss the incident.

In response to the sheriff's comments, Jones’ legal team organized a news conference, where the woman said she did not have a reaction to the video and only wanted “justice.”

“The world may see Sheriff Grady Judd as the class clown of all of the Florida sheriffs departments,” Jeremy McLymont, the attorney for Jones, said Friday. “I see him as someone who is very dangerous to our judicial system.”

McLymont revealed that his client has bipolar disorder and depression. But due to her pregnancy, she was not taking her medication, according to the lawyer.

According to McLymont, Jones was upset at the time due to a dispute about her food order and not getting a refund. It was the reason why she called 911, the lawyer said.

“[Sheriff Judd’s] unprofessional and dangerous comments stand to taint any potential jury pool that Ms. Tianis could potentially have in this case,” McLymont claimed.

The sheriff dismissed allegations his comments would taint a jury pool if the case were to go to trial.

“Do you think anybody’s gonna pay any attention to a press conference today at a jury trial a year or two or three years down the road? That’s nonsense,” said Judd.

The sheriff also suggested that the woman's pregnancy and mental health issues were only brought up as an “excuse.”

Local civil rights leader Clayton Cowart blasted the sheriff for his comments.

“Stick to McPolicing, stay out of the McCamera and stop trying to be a McMovie Star, mental illness is real,” said Cowart.

Jones is facing several charges, including burglary with assault, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and misuse of 911.