Burger King employee faces 20 years in prison for allegedly serving up French fries pulled from trash can

 A Burger King assistant manager faces up to 20 years in prison after she allegedly served customers French fries that were pulled from a trash can.

Police officers were dispatched to a Burger King restaurant in northern South Carolina on July 9 after someone reported a disturbance. Once on scene, police identified two women arguing with employees, WHNS-TV reported.

The women, who allegedly threatened restaurant staff, refused to calm down, leading police to arrest them on disorderly conduct charges.

Two days later, Burger King corporate headquarters informed law enforcement that an employee at the restaurant had taken French fries from the trash can and placed them in the fry dump where freshly cooked fries are stored before being served to customers. Those actions purportedly triggered the women who had been arrested two days prior.

Upon investigation, police arrested 39-year-old Jaime Christine Major, an assistant manager at the Burger King. She is charged with malicious tampering of human food, a serious felony that carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years if convicted. 

Meanwhile, the two women who were arrested for disorderly conduct were later named as victims of Major's alleged crime, the Daily Mail reported.

In a statement, Burger King told TheBlaze that Major has been fired but declined to comment further because of the ongoing law enforcement investigation.

"These allegations do not align to the brand's commitment to quality food and service and creating an exceptional Guest experience. The employee in question has been terminated by the Franchisee of this location," Burger King said.

"The Franchisee is cooperating with local authorities, and because this remains an ongoing investigation, we are unable to share additional details at this time," the statement added.