James Leach is facing a poisoning of food or water charge after he allegedly poured eye drops all over his nephew’s meatball sandwich, according to police. (Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office)
A Florida man landed himself in jail after he secretly put eyedrops in his nephew’s meatball sandwich, according to police.
James Paul Leach, 45, is facing a charge of poisoning of food or water. A probable cause arrest affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime says Leach was at a business Wednesday when he asked to buy Visine eyedrops for dry eyes. Leach and his nephew live together, and he told the employee that he “hated him,” authorities said. The employee said he saw Leach open the eyedrop container and pour it all over the meatballs in a sandwich, the affidavit said.
The employee said that the eyedrops could hurt someone if ingested and Leach allegedly responded that it would only cause his nephew to “sh-t himself or puke his brains out.” After Leach left the business, the employee called Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Cops said they responded to the business, which is not named in the affidavit, and reviewed surveillance footage that “clearly” showed Leach dumping the eyedrops onto the sandwich. Police were able to identify Leach and obtain his address through his prior purchases and deliveries from the business.
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Officers went to the home in Pinellas Park and alerted Leach’s nephew about his poisoned food. He said he only ate a little bit of the sandwich and declined medical treatment. Leach was taken into custody. He told cops he did not want to talk to them and requested a lawyer.
The affidavit said Leach and his nephew have a long history of domestic-related issues and deputies have responded to the home several times.
Leach is at the Pinellas County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
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