BELLEVILLE • A disabled veteran who uses a portable oxygen tank has admitted putting sewing needles into packaged meat at a Shop ’n Save store here, and told the FBI he doesn’t know why.

Officials identified seven incidents and said that one buyer reported being stuck in the hand and one found a needle in her mouth but that no serious injuries resulted.

Felony charges were announced Thursday against Ronald G. Avers, 68, who lives in the 600 block of East B Street in Belleville. He was held pending a detention hearing Aug. 4. Avers was named on seven counts of violating the Product Packaging Protection Act and if convicted could face 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each.

Security video led to Avers, who carried oxygen and used motorized carts when shopping at the store, at 4201 North Belt West. The charges allege incidents as early as Sept. 4, 2013, and as recent as July 12.

“Every now and then I would stick one in a hamburger,” Avers said, according to an affidavit by FBI Special Agent Daniel D. Cook. He added, “… mostly hamburger, a couple times I did it with a roast, maybe a pork chop every now and then.”