A late-night food delivery in southern Indiana has escalated into a criminal case drawing regional and national attention after a DoorDash driver was accused of deliberately tampering with a customer’s order. Authorities say the incident involved a delivery from Arby’s, a can of pepper spray, and a doorbell camera video that became key evidence leading to an arrest. The case has raised serious questions about food safety, platform accountability, and consumer trust in app-based delivery services.
According to the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, the driver identified in the case is Kourtney Stevenson, who was arrested and booked into the McCracken County Jail on Friday. She faces multiple charges, including consumer product tampering and battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. Investigators allege Kourtney Stevenson sprayed pepper spray on or into a food bag after dropping it off at a customer’s home in Evansville, Indiana, causing immediate physical distress to the people who consumed the food.
The customer, Mark Cardin, said the incident unfolded shortly after midnight on Sunday when he and his wife placed an order through DoorDash. What began as a routine food delivery quickly turned alarming once the couple started eating. Cardin told investigators and reporters that his wife began choking, gasping for air, and vomiting after taking only a few bites. Alarmed by her reaction, he examined the food packaging more closely and noticed what appeared to be a chemical residue on the bag.
Cardin then reviewed footage from his home’s doorbell camera. The video, he said, appeared to show the delivery driver placing the food down and then spraying the bag before leaving the property. That footage was later provided to law enforcement and played a central role in identifying Stevenson as the suspect.
Sheriff Noah Robinson of Vanderburgh County described the alleged conduct as deeply disturbing, emphasizing that intentional food tampering by a delivery driver is both rare and dangerous. He said the case gained widespread attention because of the apparent deliberateness of the act and the potential for serious harm.
The Incident and Allegations of Food Tampering
Investigators say the events began when the Cardins ordered food from Arby’s through the DoorDash app during the early morning hours. After the delivery was made, the couple began eating almost immediately, unaware of any issue with the food. Within moments, Cardin’s wife experienced a severe physical reaction consistent with exposure to an irritant.
Cardin said he initially feared the substance could have been something even more dangerous than pepper spray. While authorities have not publicly confirmed laboratory test results, investigators believe the substance was pepper spray based on the symptoms described and the appearance of the spray captured on video.
Consumer product tampering is considered a serious felony because it involves interference with items intended for public consumption. Law enforcement officials note that even substances commonly sold for self-defense can cause significant harm if introduced into food, particularly if consumed unknowingly. Pepper spray can cause intense burning of the mouth and throat, vomiting, breathing difficulties, and in severe cases, more serious medical complications.
In a chilling act caught on doorbell camera, former DoorDash driver Kourtney N. Stevenson, 29, pepper-sprayed a couple’s late-night Arby’s order in Vanderburgh County, Indiana,
— Ian Miles Cheong (@ianmiles) December 13, 2025
The footage shows her placing the bag on the porch, snapping the required delivery photo, then… pic.twitter.com/fveiHv1pA4
Sheriff Robinson said deputies were struck by the apparent intentionality shown in the doorbell footage. He noted that this was not a case of accidental contamination or careless handling, but an allegation of a deliberate act performed after the delivery had already been completed.
Authorities also pointed out that the incident could have ended far worse. While Cardin’s wife did not suffer life-threatening injuries, officials stressed that the outcome could have been different if a child, elderly person, or someone with respiratory conditions had consumed the food. The investigation moved quickly once the video evidence was reviewed. Deputies were able to identify Stevenson as the driver assigned to the order through DoorDash records. She was later located and arrested without incident.
Arrest, Charges, and the Suspect’s Explanation
Kourtney Stevenson was taken into custody and booked into the McCracken County Jail, where she faces charges including consumer product tampering and battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. Under Indiana law, consumer product tampering can carry severe penalties due to the inherent risk posed to the public. During questioning, Stevenson reportedly told deputies that she had been visiting her father in Evansville and was working for DoorDash while in town.
She claimed that the spray seen in the video was not intended for the food but was used to repel a spider near the customer’s doorstep, stating that she has an extreme fear of spiders. Authorities say they are skeptical of that explanation. Sheriff Robinson publicly questioned the plausibility of the claim, noting that the incident occurred during winter, when nighttime temperatures were around 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
He stated that spiders are unlikely to be active outdoors in such conditions, making the explanation difficult to accept. Robinson also pointed out that even if a spider had been present, spraying a substance onto a customer’s food bag would be inappropriate and dangerous. Investigators believe the footage shows the spray directed toward the bag itself rather than the ground or surrounding area.
The charges filed reflect not only the alleged tampering but also the physical harm caused to Cardin’s wife. Prosecutors will need to demonstrate intent and causation, relying heavily on the video evidence, witness statements, and any forensic analysis conducted on the food packaging. Stevenson has not entered a public plea at this stage, and the case is expected to proceed through the court system in the coming weeks. If convicted, she could face significant jail time and long-term legal consequences.
DoorDash Response and Broader Safety Concerns
In response to the arrest, DoorDash issued a statement confirming that Stevenson’s access to the platform has been permanently revoked. The company emphasized that it has a zero-tolerance policy for any behavior that compromises customer safety, particularly incidents involving food tampering. DoorDash said it is cooperating with law enforcement and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the delivery. While the company did not comment on specific details of the case, it reiterated that such conduct violates its policies and standards for drivers.
The incident has reignited broader discussions about safety in the gig economy, especially as app-based food delivery becomes an increasingly common part of daily life. Customers rely on a chain of trust that includes restaurants, delivery platforms, and individual drivers. When that trust is broken, the consequences can extend beyond a single incident.
Consumer advocates note that while the vast majority of delivery drivers perform their jobs responsibly, cases like this highlight vulnerabilities in the system. Doorbell cameras and other home surveillance technologies have become critical tools in identifying wrongdoing, but they are not preventative measures. Law enforcement officials stress that intentional food tampering is not only a breach of trust but a criminal act with potentially severe outcomes. Sheriff Robinson said the case should serve as a reminder that such actions will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.
For the Cardin family, the incident has left lasting concerns about food safety and personal security. Cardin described the experience as horrifying and said it has changed how his family views food delivery services. He expressed gratitude that the incident was captured on video and that authorities acted quickly.
As the case moves forward, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the court will determine the outcome based on the evidence presented. Regardless of the legal result, the incident has already had a significant impact on public perception and industry practices, underscoring the importance of accountability in services that operate inside people’s homes and daily routines.
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