PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office arrested a Pinellas Park man accused of pouring eyedrop solution all over a meatball sandwich that belonged to his nephew.
According to an arrest report, 45-year-old James Leach was seen on Wednesday, Dec. 13, messing with his nephew's food at an unnamed restaurant. A worker reportedly claimed that Leach asked for a bottle of Visine, which is a brand of eyedrops because he had dry eyes.
But instead of using them, the report explains Leach was seen opening one of the containers of food and pouring the solution all over the meatball sandwich.
The worker allegedly told Leach what he was doing could hurt someone to which the 45-year-old reportedly replied it would only cause his nephew to "s*** himself and puke his brains out."
Leach was a regular customer, according to the worker, and he had issues with his nephew who lived in the same house as him.
Security footage taken from the business showed Leach clearly taking the bottle of eye solution and smothering the sandwich with it, the report explains.
After finding Leach's address on the business' computer, deputies were able to make contact with him. The nephew reportedly had eaten a small portion of the meatball sandwich by the time authorities arrived and had no idea that eyedrop solution was on it.
Leach refused to speak with authorities and requested a lawyer, the report explains. He was taken into custody and is now being charged with poisoning of food or water.
According to the report, there's a long history of domestic-related issues between Leach and his nephew. The 45-year-old was previously arrested for multiple counts of battery and aggravated assault.
First responders were called to treat the nephew, but he reportedly refused to be treated, the report explained.
Correction: The headline on this story has been updated to reflect the man is from Pinellas Park.
