Lenise Martin III posted a copycat video on Facebook of himself opening a Blue Bell ice cream container and licking the contents inside before poking it with his finger and putting it back on the shelf, Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office says.

The 36-year-old was charged on Saturday with property tampering and posting criminal activity, according to media outlets.

Police Commander Lonny Cavalier said officers later found Mr Martin at the scene in Napoleonville, Louisiana, where he was showing staff a receipt proving he bought the ice cream he licked.

The officers searched the freezer and confirmed Mr Martin had bought the ice cream – but they still decided to press charges.

Mr Martin filmed the copycat video just days after viral footage emerged of a teenage girl in Lufkin, Texas, taking a tub of ice cream from a Walmart freezer, licking the top of it and then putting it back.

Police issued an arrest warrant for the unnamed girl, dubbed the “Lufkin licker”, on a charge of second-degree felony tampering with a consumer product.

The charge carries a sentence of between two and 20 years in prison, along with a potential fine up to $10,000 (£8,000), according to the Texas penal code.

However police later discovered the teenager in the video was under the age of 17, and therefore a minor under Texas law.

A spokesperson said police therefore would not pursue charges against her as an adult and that the incident would be dealt with by the juvenile justice system.

Officers and prosecutors are still discussing whether her boyfriend, who is in adult, will face charges.

The Independent

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