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Blue Bell ice cream licker identified, faces up to 20 years in prison as Texas police vow to charge her with product tampering

Blue Bell Ice Cream, along with the police department, released a statement saying they were on the lookout for the culprit and were working with 'law enforcement, retail partners and social media platforms'

A woman, who was filmed in a viral video licking ice cream from a Blue Bell tub and putting it back into the grocery store freezer, has been identified and could face a prison sentence of up to 20 years, according to Texas police.

Blue Bell Ice Cream, along with the police department, had released a statement on Tuesday, July 2, saying that they were on the lookout for the culprit and were working with "law enforcement, retail partners and social media platforms" to find the woman who committed the gross act.

Lufkin Police Department officers, on Wednesday, July 3, revealed that they had identified the woman in the video after CCTV footage placed someone matching her description at the scene. Officers are reportedly waiting to verify her identity before issuing an arrest warrant on second-degree tampering with a consumer product, according to the New York Post. The felony reportedly carries a maximum sentence of around two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Authorities had earlier said that "appropriate charges" would be filed against the woman after the incident came to light last month. The officials also identified the grocery store where the incident occurred, stating that it was a Walmart located on 2500 Daniel McCall Dr in Lufkin, Texas.

The police department said that they were notified of the location by Blue Bell and subsequently secured video footage from the store, dated June 28, showing a woman matching the suspect's description.

The viral video shows a woman, wearing a red top, taking out a tub of Blue Bell ice cream from a grocery store refrigerator, removing its lid and giving the ice cream a lick before putting it back in the freezer. The woman can be also seen laughing as she does this while an off-camera voice can be heard saying in the video: "Put it back, put it back." The woman's actions have reportedly sparked a challenge with many teens going to stores and running their tongues on tubs of ice cream. 

Lufkin Director of Public Safety Gerald Williamson said: "Our biggest concern is consumer safety – in that regard, we are glad to see the tainted product off the shelves." Authorities added that Blue Bell has removed all half-gallons of the Tin Roof product from the Lufkin Walmart shelves.

Blue Bell also released a statement in the light of recent events, stating: "Food safety is a top priority, and we work hard to provide a safe product and maintain the highest level of confidence from our consumers. During production, our half gallons are flipped upside down and sent to a hardening room where the ice cream freezes to the lid creating a natural seal. The lids are frozen tightly to the carton. Any attempt at opening the product should be noticeable. We will continue to monitor this situation."