Spartanburg Man Faces Charges for Tampering with Chicken Plant Chemicals

Spartanburg Man Charged with Tampering at Sumter Chicken Plant

Sumter, SC – William Jason Taylor, a 51-year-old man from Spartanburg, has been charged by federal authorities for tampering with chemical mixtures at a chicken processing plant in Sumter. Taylor faces six counts of unauthorized access to the plant’s chemical control system, which prosecutors state he manipulated while employed at a company that provided chemical services to the facility.

During court proceedings on April 30, 2025, in the U.S. District Court in Columbia, Taylor entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him. U.S. Magistrate Judge Shiva Hodges permitted Taylor to remain free on a $25,000 unsecured bond pending trial, although the judge expressed serious concerns regarding the potential threats to public health posed by Taylor’s actions.

Allegations of Tampering

The prosecution alleges that Taylor, described as a “disgruntled employee,” gained access to the chicken plant’s chemical control system through login information obtained from a former employer that had worked with the plant. The indictment states that Taylor tampered with the chemical levels of peracetic acid and sodium hydroxide on six separate occasions during August 2023.

Peracetic acid is commonly used as a disinfectant and antimicrobial agent, while sodium hydroxide is utilized in various water treatment processes. Both chemicals can pose serious health risks if not handled or managed correctly. It is reported that Taylor disabled the alarm systems designed to alert plant personnel of chemical level issues and altered alert emails to avoid notifications of potential dangers.

Public Safety Concerns

As a result of these actions, Taylor has been accused of creating a significant threat to the local community, with possibilities of the chicken produced at the plant being poisoned. Despite the serious nature of the charges, prosecutors have not confirmed whether any food products from the plant were contaminated or if a food recall ensued as a result of Taylor’s tampering.

Legal Proceedings

After Taylor’s court appearance, Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Holliday declined to provide further comments regarding the case’s details. Taylor’s defense attorney has stated that Taylor has no prior criminal record and is currently employed as a project manager at a local company, which does not present a public safety risk.

Background Information

Prior to the allegations, Taylor worked for a company that offered industrial cleaning and chemical processing services, including work with poultry processing facilities. His access to the chemical control systems at the Sumter chicken plant during his previous employment likely contributed to the ease with which he was able to execute the unauthorized access.

Next Steps

As the legal process continues, the implications of the case raise significant questions about food safety and employee conduct in the processing industry. Taylor’s trial date is yet to be set, and further investigations are ongoing. The community remains alert to any developments regarding the safety of food products stemming from the Sumter chicken plant and the repercussions of Taylor’s alleged actions.