A man who was caught spraying pesticide on grocery items at a big-box store in Arizona’s East Valley has been formally indicted on multiple charges. According to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, 27-year-old Charles Smith, who has been described as a TikToker, turned himself in to authorities on December 21.
Smith filmed himself committing the crime and uploaded the footage to social media, directly implicating himself.
According to court documents, Smith returned to the Walmart ten minutes after the incident and attempted to retrieve the items he had sprayed. He even moved some of the contaminated products to the back of the store, further complicating the situation.
As a result of Smith’s actions, Walmart was forced to remove nearly $1 million worth of food to ensure customer safety.
A grand jury has indicted Smith on the following charges:
- One count of Third-Degree Burglary (Class 4 felony)
- Two counts of Adding Poison or Other Harmful Substance to Water, Food, Drink, or Medicine (Class 6 felony)
- One count of Endangerment (Class 1 misdemeanor)
- One count of Criminal Damage (Class 1 misdemeanor)
The incident, which appears to have been an attempt to gain online attention, caused alarm and potential harm to unsuspecting shoppers. Authorities have not disclosed the motive behind Smith’s actions, but the charges reflect the seriousness of tampering with food products and endangering public health.
Officials are reminding the public of the dangers associated with social media stunts, particularly those that involve criminal acts. This case highlights the legal and moral consequences of actions intended for online notoriety at the expense of community safety.
