South Carolina Assistant Teacher Accused of Using Foul-Smelling Spray in School
A 32-year-old assistant teacher in South Carolina has been arrested after allegedly using a noxious spray that smelled like feces at a high school, sickening students and causing tens of thousands of dollars in damage.
Authorities say Alexander Paul Robertson Lewis repeatedly sprayed the substance at West Florence High School over nearly a month, leaving both staff and students confused and distressed by the overpowering odor. The Florence County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the smell led to several students requiring medical attention for respiratory issues.
According to investigators, Lewis obtained the spray—which mimics the smell of human waste—from an online vendor. The ongoing incidents disrupted school operations and ultimately led to more than $55,000 in damages, mostly due to needed inspections and damage to the air conditioning system.
“He’s not interested in making any comment at this time,” a man identifying himself as Lewis’ brother told ABC News.
Lewis was arrested last Friday and faces charges of disturbing schools and malicious injury to property exceeding $10,000. He is currently held at the Florence County Jail on a $9,090 bond. Authorities noted the investigation is still underway and more charges could follow.
Between August 25 and September 19, students reported frequent dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Some described walking into stairwells and classrooms where teachers were visibly covering their faces and coughing.
“I got physically sick the other day because of the smell,” one student told local news outlet WPDE. “I feel like I’m going to pass out—it’s that bad.”
This isn’t the first incident involving a “poop spray” leading to legal consequences. In 2023, two students in Texas were charged with third-degree felonies for using similar products at their school, leading to evacuations and hospital visits.
