A 34-year-old Milwaukee man has been arrested and charged after being caught on camera allegedly putting super glue into a coworker’s soda cans at the Wisconsin State Fair Park grounds.
Joseph Ross faces a felony charge of placing foreign objects in edibles, after a woman — identified as “JH” in a criminal complaint — became suspicious when she repeatedly noticed a strong chemical smell and taste in her Coca-Cola and experienced illness after drinking it.
Over the span of two to three weeks, JH continued to observe the same concerning odor and symptoms, prompting her to place a hidden surveillance camera under her computer screen to catch whoever might be tampering with her beverages.
According to the footage, Ross was recorded at approximately 9:52 a.m. on March 20 approaching JH’s desk and using a brown/orange dispenser with a white nozzle to squeeze an unknown liquid into her open soda can. He was seen wearing clear latex gloves, which he later discarded.
That same morning, JH approached officers conducting a foot patrol on the fairgrounds to report her findings. She shared the video footage, which clearly showed Ross in the act.
Police interviewed Ross, who admitted to placing a “supplement” in the drinks. Legal experts believe this may have been an attempt to mislead investigators while still making an admission.
Investigators searched Ross’ desk and nearby area, discovering two gloves in the trash. Inside the gloves, officers found a plastic cap and a container of Gorilla Brand Super Glue — labeled with warnings against ingestion.
JH’s contaminated soda was collected and sent to the Wisconsin Crime Lab, where testing confirmed the presence of super glue.
Ross was arrested on March 20 and charged with a felony. He is being held at Milwaukee County Jail on a $10,000 bond. A judge has ordered that he have no contact with the victim and issued a "No Trespass Order" barring him from the fairgrounds.
He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 3. If convicted, Ross faces up to 3 ½ years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
While the motive remains unknown, legal experts have categorized the incident as highly unusual. “This is a statute that is not typically charged,” legal analyst Craig Mastantuono explained. “There’s not a lot of instances where authorities catch someone putting something in another person’s drink.”
Wisconsin State Fair Park officials clarified that both Ross and JH were employees of a vendor — not the park itself — and therefore declined to comment on employment status. However, they confirmed that the park’s police department conducted a thorough investigation.
This shocking case has sparked concern across Wisconsin about workplace safety and the importance of early reporting. If you or someone you know suspects tampering or threats in a professional setting, it’s crucial to report it immediately and document any suspicious behavior.
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Stay alert, trust your instincts, and speak up. Protect yourself and your colleagues by reporting suspicious activity. For more updates on local crime and workplace safety, follow our latest coverage.
Q: What did Joseph Ross put in his coworker’s drink?
A: He allegedly placed Gorilla super glue into her Coca-Cola cans.
Q: How did the victim catch him?
A: She used a hidden camera placed under her computer screen.
Q: What is the charge Ross is facing?
A: One felony count of placing foreign objects in edibles.
Q: What are the possible penalties if he’s convicted?
A: Up to 3.5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Q: Was he an employee of Wisconsin State Fair Park?
A: No, he worked for a vendor, not the park itself.
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