Crime & Safety
Florida Bride, Caterer Accused Of Lacing Food With Marijuana: Police
Guests at a wedding in Longwood, Florida, became ill or reported feeling "stoned," and the food tested positive for THC, authorities said.
LONGWOOD, FL — A bride and a caterer were arrested after it was discovered food served at a wedding in Florida was laced with marijuana and several guests required medical attention or reported feeling effects from the drug, according to Seminole County court records.
The bride, 42-year-old Danya Shea Svoboda, and caterer Joycelyn Montrinice Bryant, 31, are charged with culpable negligence, delivery of marijuana and violating the state's Anti-Tampering Act.
Lasagna at the Feb. 19 wedding at a clubhouse in Longwood, Florida, tested positive for THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana. Several people had to be treated at an area hospital, according to their arrest affidavits.
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Seminole County Fire Rescue personnel treated guests for symptoms consistent with illegal drug usage. County deputies questioned the bride and her husband, Andrew Svoboda, who seemed confused when asked if they had requested the food be laced with cannabis, officials said. A guest told police that Danya Svoboda seemed excited and answered "yes" when asked if the olive oil had marijuana in it, according to the affidavits.
Another guest told police she saw Bryant sprinkling what appeared to be herbs into a dish before adding olive oil to them. The guest also reported detecting a "strong odor of marijuana" from the herbs. The guest told police that when she asked Bryant if there was marijuana in the olive oil, the caterer giggled and nodded. After the olive oil was added, the guest could no longer smell marijuana and believed Bryant was kidding, police said. After eating bread and oil, she reported feeling "stoned."
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A third guest and aunt of Andrew Svoboda told police that when she talked to catering staff in the kitchen while seeking help for her daughter, multiple staff members told her they thought it was common knowledge to guests the food contained cannabis, according to the affidavit.
Danya Svoboda and Bryant have arraignments scheduled for June 7, according to court records.
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