A New Jersey is facing serious criminal charges in New Jersey after police say a so-called TikTok prank crossed a dangerous line inside a gas station convenience store.
According to authorities, John Martinez, 26, was arrested after employees at the gas station reported suspicious behavior near the refrigerated food section. Surveillance footage allegedly showed Martinez engaging in inappropriate conduct involving packaged meat before returning the items to the cooler.
When questioned by police, investigators say Martinez claimed the act was meant as a prank for social media, allegedly filmed or staged for content intended for TikTok.
What may have been intended as a joke quickly escalated into a public health concern.
“This isn’t a prank — it’s food tampering,” a law enforcement spokesperson said. “Once you involve products meant for public consumption, it becomes a serious offense.”
Martinez was taken into custody without incident and now faces multiple charges, including indecent exposure and food contamination. Authorities emphasized that intent to post online does not lessen the severity of the alleged actions.
Gas station staff immediately removed and destroyed all potentially affected meat products and sanitized the area in coordination with health officials. No illnesses have been reported.
Reaction across New Jersey was swift and angry, with many residents pointing to the incident as another example of viral stunts going too far.
“Clout has people losing their minds,” one commenter wrote. “This is why nothing is safe anymore.”
Police say the investigation is ongoing and are reviewing whether any video footage was uploaded or shared online.
For many residents, the incident serves as a blunt reminder: chasing views can come with real-world consequences.
