A Huntington Beach, California man is facing felony charges after prosecutors say he fed eight homeless people food laced with a chemical and filmed their reactions.
According to prosecutors, 38 year old William told the victims they were taking part in a “spicy food challenge” last month. Prosecutors allege the food was laced with oleoresin capsicum, a chemical derived from chili peppers that is stronger than pepper spray. As reported by the New York Post, prosecutors said many of the victims suffered “seizure like symptoms, difficulty breathing and intense stomach pain.” The Los Angeles Times reported that many were hospitalized.
“These human beings were preyed upon because they are vulnerable,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement.
The Los Angeles Times reports William is charged with eight counts of poisoning and one count of inflicting injury on an elder adult, all felonies, along with misdemeanor and infraction counts. He faces up to 19 years and three months in jail if convicted. His bail was set at $500,000, and he had not yet entered a plea at the time of this report. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
