A Purcell McDonald’s is at the center of two new federal lawsuits that accuse the local franchise of looking the other way while a co-worker with a violent criminal history allegedly harassed and assaulted teenage employees on the clock. The complaints describe repeated unwanted touching, bruises, and a frightening run-in at the restaurant’s frappé machine involving a 16-year-old crew member. The suits target MRG Restaurants, the local franchisee, and seek damages while claiming managers brushed off multiple warnings from their own staff.
What the lawsuits say happened
According to KFOR, attorney David Keesling filed the federal complaints on behalf of two 16-year-old employees who say co-worker Roy Curtis Zornes II repeatedly touched and harassed them while they worked. The filings describe unwanted shoulder and neck rubs that allegedly left marks, squeezing one girl’s neck, and a forceful confrontation near the frappé machine that was reportedly caught on the restaurant’s security cameras. The teens say they reported the behavior over and over to supervisors and that MRG Restaurants did not act until outside investigators stepped in.
The accused co-worker’s record
The Independent reports that Zornes was charged in 2010 with arson, rape, burglary and first-degree murder, but a court later found him incompetent to stand trial and ordered civil commitment. The lawsuits state that Zornes was released years later and was working at the Purcell McDonald’s by 2022. Plaintiffs say Zornes would at times brag about violent crimes, which their attorneys argue was used to scare younger co-workers.
Earlier federal case against the same franchisee
The recent filings are not the first time MRG Restaurants has faced federal litigation. Court records show that Morgan C. Cline sued MRG Restaurants in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma in February 2025, according to Justia Dockets. The public docket for Cline v. MRG Restaurants, No. 5:2025-cv-00178, lists local attorneys David Keesling and Tim Kittle for the plaintiff and identifies the matter as a civil-rights employment case. Taken together, that earlier lawsuit and the new complaints show multiple federal employment actions aimed at the same Purcell-area franchisee.
McGirt ruling and prosecution hurdles
KFOR also reports that a 2023 state assault charge tied to the McDonald’s allegations was dismissed after courts applied the U.S. Supreme Court’s McGirt decision. Plaintiffs’ attorneys say that shift has complicated efforts to secure criminal accountability. According to the reporting, federal prosecutors have not pursued the original 2010 charges or the 2023 case, leaving civil lawsuits as the main path for the alleged victims. The outlet also notes that the franchisee previously settled a separate claim brought by another 16-year-old worker.
Attorneys say managers failed teen staff
Speaking to The Independent, attorney David Keesling said the teen plaintiff “went to what she thought was a safe space” and that he is ready to push the litigation “as far as needed.” He called it especially troubling that, despite repeated complaints and available security footage, managers allegedly did not step in to shield underage employees. The lawsuits seek exemplary and punitive damages along with attorneys’ fees and costs.
What happens next in federal court
AOL reports that plaintiffs received a Right-to-Sue letter in March 2026, which gave them a 90-day deadline to file their federal claims. An answer from MRG Restaurants is due by July 31, 2026. For now, the civil complaints will move forward while the criminal questions remain unresolved. The federal court is expected to set deadlines for motions and discovery, with security videos and employee testimony likely to be central pieces of evidence.
Why teen fast-food workers are vulnerable
Employment specialists note that teenage workers in quick-service restaurants can be particularly exposed when older co-workers or supervisors cross the line, a concern that has surfaced in several recent federal enforcement efforts. As context, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has urged franchise owners to respond quickly to harassment complaints and to prioritize the safety of young workers; see an EEOC announcement about a different McDonald’s franchise settlement earlier this year. Advocates say stronger training and clear reporting channels can help limit the risks to minors at work.
Where things stand now
The Purcell lawsuits remain pending in federal court in Oklahoma and will unfold on the timetable the judge sets. The teens’ attorneys say their goal is to hold the franchise accountable and to force changes in how underage employees are protected on the job going forward.
