Woman arrested for placing razor blades in bread was mad at MS, records show
A Texas woman arrested for placing razor blades inside bread and muffins sold at two Walmart stores in Biloxi told investigators she committed the crimes because she was angry at the state of Mississippi, according to new records filed in the case.
Camille Benson, 33, was arrested in December on a state charge in Biloxi of attempted mayhem and is now facing an additional federal charge of tampering with consumer goods.
The federal charge accuses Benson of tampering with products that had been transported across state lines for sale, with reckless disregard for the risk of harm to consumers. The crime carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to FBI Task Force Officer John Farmer, authorities determined after her initial arrest that the items Benson tampered with had been transported from Louisiana to Mississippi for sale.
In a sworn statement, Farmer said Benson admitted to committing the crimes during an interview shortly after her arrest in Biloxi. During that interview, she said she acted because she was angry at the state of Mississippi after learning her mother had died there.
The Biloxi Police Department began its investigation in December after receiving several complaints from customers who reported finding razor blades in bread and muffins at two Walmart stores in the city. Biloxi police said a fish hook had also been found in a muffin there.
Police identified Benson as a suspect after sharing surveillance images with local media.
Customers reported finding razor blades in bread products at the Walmart Supercenter on C.T. Switzer Sr. Drive and the Walmart Neighborhood Market on Pass Road.
After the first report, Walmart employees inspected additional bread products and found more razor blades inside loaves. Authorities said the blades had been pushed through thin plastic packaging.
Investigators later determined the tampering did not occur at a Walmart warehouse, prompting a review of store surveillance footage that led to Benson’s identification.
At least three customers reported finding razor blades on separate occasions in December. Store employees also found additional contaminated products.
Benson is scheduled to go to trial on the federal charge in U.S. District Court in Gulfport during the criminal calendar beginning July 13.
Prior to her arrests in Mississippi, Benson had at least 10 prior arrests in Bexar County, Texas, including charges of criminal mischief, resisting arrest, narcotics violations and prostitution. Her arrests date back to as early August 2011, when she was arrested on a charge of possession of crack cocaine, records show.
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