Mom Is Arrested For Selling Home Cooked Meals Through Facebook

#1 Busted On Facebook

Mariza Ruelas and other members of the 209 Food Spot Facebook group were busted in a yearlong undercover investigation by San Joaquin County officials.

#2 It Was A Community Group

Ruelas and her four children, ages 6-20, prepared the meals and delivered them to customers in exchange for "clothes, a birthday cake or sometimes enough money to cover the cost of" cooking the meals. Ruelas told local news she joined the Facebook group about two years ago. The women shared recipes, dishes and even set up picnics where they would share their own meals with one another.

#3 They Cooked Their Signature Dishes

She added the purpose of the group was not to make a profit or carry out illegal business, but simply to build a strong sense of community. She would offer her own dishes; a tray of rice and beans, chicken stuffed avocados, tacos, or ceviche about once a month.

#4 It Was not About Making Money From Selling Food

"We didn't see any harm in that," Ruelas told The Washington Post. "There wasn't anybody selling it daily. A lot of times, they were just getting back what they put into the ingredients." She claims that any meals she sold through the group were for about what she paid to prepare them and never profited. "It was just to share our food with our local people."

#5 She Sold Her Dish To An Undercover Officer

She said an undercover investigator posing as a customer ordered food through the Facebook page on December 3. She prepared the meal and sold it to the gentleman and he said it was very good. That plate was her signature ceviche dish.

#6 Charged With Selling Without A Permit

Prosecutors said she violated state law by selling food prepared in a facility not subjected to inspections. Ruelas and others in the group were arrested and charged with operating a food facility and engaging in business without a permit.

#7 Other Members Took The Plea Deal

About 12 others who were charged accepted plea deals that included a year of probation, a $235 fine and 40 hours of community service. But Ruelas, who already is on a tight budget, decided to fight her charges but she could face up to a year in jail for the two misdemeanors. However, she is up against a year in jail for the two misdemeanors. Ruelas has started a gofundme account.

#8 Enforceable By Law

"I don't write the laws, I enforce them. And the Legislature has felt that this is a crime," San Joaquin County Deputy District Attorney Kelly McDaniel said. "Food prepared in a facility that does not inspect it creates a risk to the public." The group was warned once before by the District Attorney for the same thing.

#9 She Is Going To Court To Fight For Her Right

Perhaps Ruelas said it best when she told the Washington Post, "they took the time to be investigating for over a year now, but they can't solve all these unsolved murders?" She is set to appear in court for her not guilty plea with an appointed attorney.

#10 The Investigation Was A Waste Of Resources

Ruelas called the investigation "a waste of time and resources" in a Facebook post last week. "The purpose wasn't to sell food," Ruelas said. "We wanted to bring something positive to our community." She added, "Imagine if the feds had put this much time investigating Hillary's email scandal or Trump's fraud schemes?"

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