Page 13 - IAV Digital Magazine #627

Teacher Arrested For Using ‘Poop' Spray In School, Cost Campus More Than $50K In Repairs
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
by WKRC/WPDE/CN N Newsource
FLORENCE, S.C. (WKRC/WPDE/CNN Newsource) - A teaching assistant has been arrested fol- lowing a series of dis- turbances at a high
school, where a mys- terious odor plagued the campus for weeks.
Alexander Lewis, 32, faces charges of dis- turbing schools and malicious injury to property after alleged-
ly using a spray designed to mimic the smell of feces.
Deputies said Lewis purchased the spray online and used it multiple times between Aug. 25 and Sept. 19, causing sig-
nificant disruptions. The odor reportedly triggered health issues among stu- dents and staff, including headaches, nausea and dizzi- ness, and resulted in nearly $55,000 in inspection and air conditioning repair costs for the district.
"My son has, his asthma has been trig- gered multiple times because of this and I had to take him to the doctor three times," said a parent.
In August, the district assured parents via email that inspections of the school's gas lines, propane sys- tems and air quality revealed no dangers. However, officials
now believe the odor was intentionally caused by Lewis.
Lewis appeared in court, where a judge set his total bond at just over $9,000. The malicious injury to personal property charge would be addressed in general sessions court on Nov. 19, with a bond set at $8,000.
The charge of inter- fering with schools would be heard in Florence Magistrates Court on Oct. 15, with a bond of $1,090.
Authorities indicated that additional charges against Lewis were possible.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine