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California man accused of coughing on Arizona gas pump in video may face charges amid pandemic

Pumping equipment at gas station seen in this file photo. (Getty Images)

A California man has admitted to posting videos of himself talking about coronavirus while coughing on a gas pump in Yuma.

The Yuma Police Department received several reports Saturday night about social media videos of a man coughing on a fuel pump handle and referencing the COVID-19 pandemic.


Officers opened an investigation and determined the suspect was a 23-year-old man from Winterhaven.

He was brought to the police station for questioning. Investigators say he admitted to making the videos.

“The 23 year old male stated he got the idea from other social media videos he had seen on the internet,” police said on Facebook.

Police say he showed no signs or symptoms of COVID-19.

Investigators, however, sent the case to Yuma County prosecutors for possible charges of unlawful use of infectious biological substance.