In a shocking turn of events in Pinellas County, Florida, a 45-year-old man, James Leech, found himself in hot water after allegedly poisoning a family member’s sandwich with eye drops. The incident unfolded at a local pizzeria, where Leech was caught on camera tampering with a meatball parm sub intended for his nephew.
Security camera footage shows James Leech tampering with a meatball sub
A witness at the restaurant stated that Leech, a regular customer, was seen behaving unusually. He appeared intoxicated and was even observed physically hitting the sandwich while it was being prepared.
“Honestly sir, I’m not going to lie, [he] comes in intoxicated most of the time,” the witness revealed. “He’s always drunk when he comes here, yeah, or at least half in the bag.”
After receiving the order, Leech engaged in a conversation with the restaurant staff, during which he explicitly stated that the sandwich was for a family member he wasn’t on good terms with. He then proceeded to open the sub and pour a bottle of Visine eye drops all over it, in full view of the restaurant employees.
Close-up of the Visine bottle used in the incident
Upon reviewing the security footage and questioning the witness, the police wasted no time in heading to Leech’s residence to confront him and his nephew.
The nephew, who had already taken a few bites of the tampered sandwich, confirmed that he and Leech had been engaged in a heated argument earlier. Although he hadn’t experienced any adverse effects from the Visine, he agreed to be examined by paramedics for precautionary measures.
Meanwhile, Leech’s mother, visibly distraught by her son’s actions, expressed her disappointment and disgust, emphasizing the severity of his actions.
Police officer questioning James Leech at his residence
Leech, now seated in the back of a patrol car, attempted to downplay the situation, claiming it was a misunderstanding. However, the gravity of his actions was far from lost on the officers.
Further investigation revealed a long-standing history of domestic disputes between Leech and his nephew. Leech’s father shared with the officers that his son, unemployed and contributing minimally to the household, had been a source of constant tension, refusing to help with chores or find a job.
As the officers prepared to transport Leech to the Pinellas County Jail, a pastor arrived at the scene. The pastor offered words of comfort and prayed with Leech, urging him to repent for his actions and seek a relationship with God. Despite the circumstances, Leech appeared receptive to the pastor’s message.
Pastor praying with James Leech before his transport
Ultimately, James Leech was booked into the Pinellas County Jail and charged with poisoning of food or water, a first-degree felony. The victim, despite initial reluctance, decided to press charges against his uncle.
This bizarre case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing family conflicts constructively and seeking help when necessary. Domestic disputes, if left unchecked, can escalate into dangerous and damaging situations with lasting consequences.
