Teaching Assistant Arrested After Causing $55,000 Damage With Fart Spray in US High School

A 32-year-old teaching assistant at West Florence High School has been arrested following multiple incidents of releasing fart spray throughout the school building. Alexander Lewis, who purchased the malodorous substance online, repeatedly deployed the spray between August 25 and September 19, creating widespread disruption.

The Florence County Sheriff's Office took Lewis into custody on charges of disturbing schools and malicious injury to property. According to their official statement on Facebook, "Investigators have arrested a Florence man alleged to have been responsible for creating a foul odour at a Florence High School."

Authorities further explained that "Lewis is alleged to have sprayed an internet-acquired spray designed to imitate fecal odour at the school on multiple occasions and over time, resulting in a disruption of the school."

The incidents caused significant health concerns among students, with many reporting respiratory issues due to the overwhelming stench. School officials initially conducted thorough inspections of gas lines, propane systems, and air quality in an attempt to identify the source of the problem, but these efforts proved unsuccessful.

The situation became so severe that some parents kept their children home from school. One student described the conditions to ABC 5 News, saying, "Every time I go to my second block class, I walk up the stairwell and immediately, teachers are covering their noses and their mouths, coughing because of the smell."

An assessment of the damage revealed that the school's air conditioning system sustained approximately Rs 47.8 lakh ($55,000) in damages due to the spray. While officials have not disclosed their investigative methods, Lewis now faces charges for disturbing schools as a non-student and malicious injury to property exceeding $10,000.

The investigation remains active, with authorities indicating that additional charges may follow as they continue to assess the full impact of Lewis's actions.