"Disgruntled employee" accused of pouring cleaner into office coffee machine

STERLING, Va. -- Authorities have reportedly arrested a Virginia woman they say poured a cleaning agent used for windows and bathrooms into an office coffee machine, causing her co-workers to get sick.

Local news organizations report that officials arrested 32-year-old Mayda Rivera-Juarez on Friday on charges of felony assault.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office says Rivera-Juarez poured the cleaning liquid into the coffee maker multiple times over the course of several weeks at her former place of employment, shipping company JAS Forwarding Inc. Many of her co-workers say they got sick as a result of the incident, with symptoms including severe digestive problems and diarrhea, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Alex Kowalski told Washington radio station WTOP.

The company reportedly employs about eight people. Kowalski told WTOP co-workers who filed a police report described Rivera-Juarez as a disgruntled employee who didn’t see eye-to-eye with other workers.

Rivera-Juarez is being held at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center without bond. It’s unclear if she has an attorney.