Florence, September 21, 2025

News Summary

Alexander Paul Roberts Lewis, a teaching assistant at West Florence High School, was arrested for causing a hazardous environment with a noxious odor. This situation resulted in health issues for students and significant financial costs for the school district, prompting community concerns and legal action. Lewis faces charges for disturbing schools and malicious injury to property, with court dates upcoming. Parents are frustrated over the school’s communication regarding the ongoing issue, which has impacted over 1,900 students.

Florence

Alexander Paul Roberts Lewis, a 32-year-old teaching assistant at West Florence High School, was arrested on September 19 on charges of disturbing schools and malicious injury to property. These charges come in the wake of complaints regarding a persistent and disturbing odor that has plagued the school since late August, resulting in significant health concerns among students and substantial costs for the school district.

The Florence County Sheriff’s Office reports that Lewis is being held at the Florence County Detention Center, with a bond of $8,000 related to the malicious injury charge and $1,090 for the school disturbance charge. The court date for the malicious injury charge has been set for November 19, while the school interference charge will be addressed on October 15.

Numerous complaints about a noxious gas-like odor at West Florence High School surfaced in late August, leading to considerable distress within the school community. Students reported experiencing symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and headaches connected to the smell. Alarmed parents noted that some children stayed home from school due to concerns over their health and safety, as the odor appeared to cause medical issues for several students, including respiratory problems requiring medical attention.

In the course of the investigation, authorities discovered that Lewis had allegedly used a spray purchased online that is designed to mimic fecal odor on multiple occasions between August 25 and September 19. The malodorous situation resulted in approximately $55,000 in costs for the school in inspections and repairs to the air conditioning system, further compounding the disruption caused by Lewis’s actions.

Frustration and anger expressed by parents at a school board meeting highlight the growing concern regarding the school district’s lack of communication about the odor issues. With more than 1,900 students enrolled at West Florence High School, the situation’s impact on the school environment cannot be overstated as it continues to raise concerns about the safety and well-being of the students.

As the investigation remains ongoing, there is potential for additional charges against Lewis, further complicating an already tense situation at West Florence High School.

Charges and Court Dates

• Malicious injury to property: $8,000 bond, court date November 19
• Interference with schools: $1,090 bond, court date October 15

Health Impact on Students

Students have reported various health symptoms linked to the foul odor, including:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headaches

Some students even required medical attention for respiratory issues related to the odor.

Cost of Disruption

The school incurred significant expenses due to the odor problem, with a reported cost of:

• Approximately $55,000 for inspections and repairs

Community Response

The community’s response has been marked by frustration over a perceived lack of communication from school officials regarding the ongoing odor issues. Parents have expressed serious concerns for their children’s health and the school’s safety environment.

FAQs

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Additional Resources

• WPDE: West Florence High School Gas Smell
• Post and Courier: West Florence High School Odor
• WACH: Teaching Assistant Arrested for Foul Odor
• Encyclopedia Britannica: School Odor
• WMBF News: Man Arrested in Pee Dee School Odor Case
• Google Search: Foul Odor School

Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER

FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.