Authorities in Mesa have apprehended 27-year-old Charles Smith after he filmed himself spraying pesticide on food items at a local Walmart, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. The incident, which occurred last Thursday at the Walmart on Stapley Drive and Baseline Road, led to Smith's arrest on Saturday on multiple charges, including the introduction of poison and endangerment.
Mesa Police arrest suspect in bug spraying incident at Walmart. Read below for details.https://t.co/I1thlCfVNw pic.twitter.com/RoVFEaQz7o
— Mesa Police Dept. (@MesaPD) December 21, 2024
According to AZFamily, Smith confessed to the act during an interview with Mesa police. He faces a felony charge for introducing poison and misdemeanors for criminal damage, endangerment, and theft. Smith, who described himself as a social media "troll," reportedly said he earns between $6,000 and $10,000 a month through his online antics.
Local reactions have been of disgust and concern. "People eat that stuff," shopper Chris Edwards told FOX 10 Phoenix. "Regardless if you're doing a prank or not, you're just really messing with the community at that point." Smith remains behind bars on a $25,350 bond as he is potentially facing both legal repercussions and a backlash from a community he targeted in pursuit of social media notoriety.
