
On a seemingly routine December evening, a TikTok user turned prankster's antics at a Walmart in Mesa escalated into a criminal investigation, resulting in a grand jury indictment. Charles Smith, a 27-year-old with a following on the social media platform, has been charged with multiple offenses after he allegedly sprayed pesticide on store produce, as reported by KTAR News.
The incident took place on December 19, 2024, when Smith reportedly entered the Walmart near Stapley Drive and Baseline Road and, without purchasing the item, proceeded to use Hot Shot Ultra Bed Bug and Flea Killer on food items such as fruits, vegetables, and rotisserie chickens the TikToker then filmed himself during the act and posted the videos online; his charges include one count of third-degree burglary, two counts of adding poison to food, one count of endangerment, and one count of criminal damage. Maricopa County officials voiced serious concerns about the dangers of such pranks and urged the community to stay vigilant and report any harmful content spotted on social media platforms.
Following the episode, Walmart swiftly responded, quoted by FOX 10 Phoenix as saying "The health and safety of our customers and associates is always a top priority," the company emphasized the immediate removal of affected products and thorough cleaning and sanitization of the impacted area, corroborating the gravity of the incident Walmart expressed an apology to customers and affirmed their commitment to cooperating with law enforcement. Meanwhile, the Mesa Police Department pointed out the disturbing reality that unsuspecting shoppers may have collected the adulterated foods.
Though Smith has since deleted the posts related to his dangerous prank, the repercussions of his actions continue to ripple through the Mesa community and beyond paralleling this case is the story of another Arizona-native influencer, Johnny Somali, legally known as Ramsey Khalid Ismael, who finds himself tangled in legal proceedings in South Korea after causing a disturbance in a convenience store as detailed by the Korea JoongAng Daily and amplified through Newsweek's coverage. Both cases serve as stark reminders of the very real consequences that can stem from what might be misperceived as mere social media frolics.