Charles Smith, a 27-year-old Arizona man who labels himself a social media “villain,” was arrested after allegedly spraying a bed bug killer on groceries at a Walmart in Mesa. Smith filmed the incident and boasted to police about his prank videos.
The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on December 19, involving a can of Hot Shot Ultra Bed Bug and Flea Killer, which he sprayed on several perishable items, as reported by the New York Post.
In a now-deleted video, influencer Smith, known as WolfieKahletti on TikTok, filmed himself wearing a black hoodie and pink bandana while spraying bed bug killer on various groceries at a Walmart near Phoenix.
Items targeted included bananas, squash, potatoes, lemons, green apples, and Roma tomatoes.
Police allege Smith, who describes himself as an online “troll,” went to the store specifically to film pranks for his channel, where he has over 300,000 followers.
He told police he earns between $6,000 and $10,000 per month from his provocative prank videos.
”I think social media has got people doing crazy things out here,” Walmart shopper Xavier Griego told the outlet. “It’s unfortunate that somebody would mess up their whole life, potentially, for something on social media for views.”
Smith voluntarily turned himself in to police on December 21.
He faces a felony charge of introducing poison, along with misdemeanor charges of criminal damage, endangerment, and theft.
A Walmart spokesperson confirmed that impacted products were removed and affected areas cleaned.
It is unclear if any customers were harmed by the contaminated items.
“This incident underscores the potential dangers of reckless actions disguised as social media pranks,” the Mesa Police Department said in a statement.
Smith, known for his provocative prank videos, has previously posted footage of himself mixing bacon and eggs into a stranger’s laundry and locking people inside another grocery store.
The bed bug spray used in his latest prank is harmful if swallowed and can cause allergic reactions with prolonged skin contact, according to the manufacturer’s website.
Convictions for tampering with consumer products can result in 5 to 20 years in prison.
In 2022, Arizona resident David Lohr was sentenced to 10 years of probation for adding harmful chemicals to food at several Phoenix-area retail stores.
He was ordered to pay $390.42 in restitution to a grocery chain and to undergo a mental health evaluation along with any recommended treatment.
Prosecutors reported no injuries or illnesses from the tampered items during David Lohr’s 2018 stunt.
In 2019, Lohr was accused of tampering with products at California stores and was sentenced to 51 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release with mental health services.
