Supermarket worker accused of ejaculating on food for sale, Colorado police say

A former Safeway worker faces charges of masturbating and ejaculating on food products at the supermarket, Colorado police reported.

Officers initially arrested Stephen Masalta, 32, of Fort Collins, on Feb. 20 on indecent exposure charges, the Fort Collins Police Department said in a March 14 news release.

The arrest followed an investigation into reports of someone exposing himself outside local coffee shops, including once to a child, starting in July, police said in a Feb. 20 release.

A review of digital evidence collected at Masalta’s home showed he also had masturbated and ejaculated on food products at a Safeway store at 1426 East Harmony Road, police said.

Police Chief Jeff Swoboda said in a video accompanying the release on Facebook that the evidence included videos.

The foods involved were not commercially sealed, Swoboda said.

Masalta worked at the supermarket from December to February, police said. The store has cooperated with the investigation.

In a statement to McClatchy News, a Safeway spokesperson said the company is “deeply concerned about the allegations” and will continue cooperating with police and health officials.

Swoboda called the case “truly disturbing” in the video.

Masalta faces charges including indecent exposure, attempted indecent exposure, attempted unlawful sexual conduct and attempted sexual assault on a child, police said.

Swoboda said police have “many more videos to go through” and said more charges are anticipated.

Investigators ask anyone with information to call 970-416-2825. Health inquiries can be made to the Larimer County Health Department at 970-498-6700.

Fort Collins is about a 65-mile drive north of Denver.

This story was originally published March 18, 2024 at 10:28 AM with the headline "Supermarket worker accused of ejaculating on food for sale, Colorado police say."