MESA, AZ — A man accused of spraying bug killer on foods at an East Valley Walmart store has been indicted on multiple charges, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
Mesa police arrested 27-year-old Charles Smith last month after he allegedly posted a video online showing himself spraying bug spray on produce at a local Walmart.
The social media video showed a man holding a can of Hot Shot bug spray that he appeared to spray on various foods at a grocery store, including fresh produce and prepared chicken.
Police say the incident reportedly occurred on a Thursday night at the Walmart near Stapley Drive and Baseline Road.
They say Smith intended to film pranks for social media, but instead picked up a can of bug spray from the shelf without paying for it, and then sprayed it on the produce and rotisserie chickens. Smith reportedly filmed his face, the can, and the act of spraying the can and posted it online.
According to court documents, Smith returned to the store a short time later to retrieve the contaminated items, which were valued at over $900, placing them in a shopping cart and putting the cart in the back of the store. It is unclear if anyone interacted with or purchased the contaminated items.
Smith reportedly admitted to the theft and the video to Mesa police.
A grand jury indicted Smith on the following charges:
- One count of Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class Four Felony
- Two counts of Adding Poison or Other Harmful Substance to Water, Food, Drink, or Medicine, a Class Six Felony
- One count of Endangerment, a Class One Misdemeanor
"County Attorney Rachel Mitchell reminds the public to 'Report, Don’t Repost!' Reposting harmful content on social media may inspire copycats and exacerbate the problem. If you see videos like these, please report them to local law enforcement," the county attorney's office said in a media release.
