Teaching Assistant Arrested After Prank “Fart Spray” Causes $55,000 in Damage at High School

A teaching assistant at West Florence High School in South Carolina has been arrested after using a canister spray that imitates fecal odor inside the school multiple times between August 25 and September 19, 2025. Authorities say the stunt led to extensive damage to the building’s HVAC system, disruptions at the school, and health problems for some students.

At the time of arrest, the cost to repair the damage to the school was estimated at $55,000.

Teaching Assistant Incident Details: Who, Where & Why

The suspect is Alexander Paul Robertson Lewis, 32, a teaching assistant at Florence High School. He allegedly used an internet-purchased spray designed to mimic the smell of feces.

He is charged with malicious injury to property and, separately, a count for school disruption. Lewis was initially booked into Florence County Corrections, held on $9,000 bond, then released.

Impact & Fallout of the Teaching Assistant

• The school’s air conditioning/ventilation system took the brunt of the damage, triggering costly repairs.
• Some students experienced health issues: notably, at least one child with asthma reportedly required medical attention multiple times because of the odor.
• In response to the repeated odor complaints, school maintenance first checked gas and propane lines and air quality before tracing the issue to the prank.

Legal Process & Outlook

Lewis is scheduled to appear in Florence Magistrates’ Court on October 15 for the school disruption charge. A General Sessions Court hearing is set for November 19 on the more serious property damage charge.

If convicted on the malicious damage charge, he could face fines of at least $10,000 (in addition to potential jail time). The investigation remains open; additional charges may be filed.

Why This Gets Attention

• It’s rare to see a seemingly juvenile prank escalate into a multi-thousand-dollar repair job and legal case.
• The fact that students’ health was affected pushes this beyond “harmless mischief” into potentially negligent or reckless territory.
• Schools rely heavily on HVAC and air systems for safety; damaging them affects every classroom, not just one prank site.
• The case tests the lines between prank, criminal mischief, and liability in institutional contexts.

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