A teaching assistant from a high school in Florence, South Carolina has been charged with ‘malicious injury to property’ for releasing foul-smelling canisters within the facility.
The individual, Alexander Lewis, was apprehended after allegedly using a spray described by authorities as one that “imitates fecal odour,” according to a press release from the County Sheriff’s Office shared on social media.
This ill-conceived prank resulted in significant damage to the institution, totaling $55,000, and posed health risks to students.
The offensive spray was acquired online and deployed repeatedly from August 25 to September 19.
Students complained about the persistent odor, prompting maintenance staff to inspect gas and propane lines and conduct air quality tests.
Ultimately, the school’s air conditioning system incurred substantial damage, necessitating costly repairs.
The prank resulted in some students requiring medical assistance. One parent anonymously informed WKRC: “My son’s asthma has been triggered multiple times because of this, and I had to take him to the doctor three times.”
The means by which the 32-year-old was revealed as the culprit remain unpublicized. However, he was apprehended last Friday (September 19) and taken to Florence County Corrections Facility with a $9,000 bond, before being released the following day.
Alexander is scheduled to appear in court on October 15 at Florence Magistrates Court for a school disruption charge, followed by a November 19 hearing in general sessions court concerning the malicious injury to property charge.
The County Sheriff’s Office stated: “Between the dates of August 25 and September 19, 2025, Alexander Paul Robertson Lewis, a teaching assistant to West Florence High School, is alleged to have sprayed an internet-acquired spray designed to imitate fecal odour at the school.
“Investigators allege that Lewis used the spray on multiple occasions and over time resulting in a disruption of the school, children requiring medical attention for respiratory issues, and requiring the school to incur an expenditure of over $55,000 for inspection and damage to the school air conditioning system. The investigation into this matter is ongoing and additional charges are possible.”
If convicted of malicious injury to property, Alexander could face fines of at least $10,000.
Reactions online have been mixed, with some seeing humor in the situation while others express approval of the legal action taken.
One commenter noted, “Glad they found the source….. hopefully he’ll be ordered to pay back that $55,000 that was spent looking for the issue.”
Another expressed, “Some people never grow up what a waste of taxpayer’s money!”
An interesting theory suggested, “I bet this wasn’t a prank… it was payback. I am willing to bet he was bullied in some ways either by students or staff and he wanted them to suffer!”