Arizona Man Caught Filming Disturbing Bug Spray Prank on Groceries for Potential $10,000 a Month

MESA, Ariz. — A 27-year-old man has been arrested following disturbing footage that surfaced on social media, depicting him spraying insecticide on food items at a Walmart. Charles Smith now faces multiple charges, including criminal damage and endangerment, according to local police.

The incident occurred on December 19 at around 8:30 p.m. Smith allegedly entered the store intending to film pranks for social media. He was recorded using a can of “Hot Shot Ultra Bed Bug and Flea Killer” to spray bananas, potatoes, lemons, limes, and rotisserie chickens, raising significant health concerns.

Following the release of the video on “X,” formerly Twitter, store management quickly removed the affected produce from public access. A Walmart spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to customer safety, stating that they had cleaned and sanitized the impacted areas and were cooperating with law enforcement.

Shoppers at the Mesa location reacted with shock and disgust. Ramon Soberanes expressed concern for families who frequent the store, lamenting the potential risk to children. “This is where people shop for their families. It’s very possible that those bananas, a mom could have been grabbing some for her kids,” he stated.

In a strange turn of events, police found that Smith later returned to the store in an attempt to collect the contaminated items, placing them in a cart. According to court documents, it remains unclear whether he managed to retrieve all the items he had previously sprayed.

The total value of the removed products was estimated at $931. Court documents revealed that the time lapse between the spraying and Smith’s return left ample opportunity for unwitting customers to purchase potentially hazardous items.

Authorities identified Smith through prior contacts with Mesa and Tempe police, who have an ongoing case against him for multiple previous offenses, including shoplifting and theft. He voluntarily turned himself in after being contacted by the police.

During questioning, Smith acknowledged the gravity of his actions, admitting that ingestion of the sprayed produce could lead to illness. He claimed to participate in such “pranks” as a form of online trolling, potentially earning substantial sums from the social media notoriety it generates.

Smith now faces several charges, including:

• Introducing poison (felony)
• Criminal damage (misdemeanor)
• Endangerment (misdemeanor)
• Theft (misdemeanor)