NY Couple Charged In Sesame Place Face Mask Attack

LANGHORNE, PA — A man and woman from New York are facing charges in connection with an attack on a 17-year-old Sesame Place employee who asked them to wear face masks, police announced Wednesday.

Troy McCoy, 39, and Shakerra Bonds, 31, both of the same address in Bronx, N.Y., are accused in the Aug. 9 attack of the teen, which put him in the hospital for seven days and required surgery for damage to his jaw and teeth.

McCoy was arrested by U.S. Marshals at his home at about 6 a.m. Wednesday morning. Middletown Township Police say he tried to barricade himself inside his home, but Marshals were able to breach the barricade and arrest him.

Arrangements are being made for Bonds to turn herself in to Middletown Police, authorities said.

According to a police report, the teen was working near the Langhorne amusement park's Captain Cookie's High C Adventure ride shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 9, when he reminded a man and woman that they needed to be wearing masks due to the park's coronavirus rules.

The two "responded to the request in an aggressive manner, closing the distance ... causing him to back up," according to police.

"During the course of this confrontation, they escalated the incident with both the female and male striking the 17-year-old male Sesame Place staff member in the face, knocking him to the ground," police said.

On Wednesday, police said another Sesame Place employee tried to help the teen during the attack and the woman, later identified as Bonds, punched that worker in the face as well.

The teen was taken by EMS to St. Mary Medical Center, where he was treated for his injuries. A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help with his medical expenses.

Sesame Place reopened on July 24 after shutting down in March due to the coronavirus outbreak. The park's phased reopening came with a safety plan that includes capacity limits, physical distancing, face covering and temperature screenings.

McCoy is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, criminal conspiracy, two counts of disorderly conduct and harassment. Bonds is charged with two counts of simple assault, criminal conspiracy, two counts of disorderly conduct and harassment.

The court hearing has not yet been scheduled.