Florida man allegedly put eyedrops in nephew’s meatball sandwich so he would ‘sh-t himself’

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — In a bizarre and disturbing incident this week, 45-year-old James Paul Leach of Pinellas Park has been arrested and charged with felony poisoning after police say he allegedly poured eyedrop solution onto his nephew’s meatball sandwich, hoping it would cause severe gastrointestinal distress.

On the evening of December 13, Leach reportedly visited a local deli or sandwich shop in Pinellas Park. He purchased a bottle of Visine eyedrops, claiming he needed it to soothe dry eyes. According to the arrest affidavit, the deli employee overheard Leach express hatred toward his nephew, who lives with him, stating that he “hated him today”.

Moments later, surveillance footage captured Leach opening the eyedrop bottle and dumping its contents all over his nephew’s meatball sandwich. When the employee warned that the eyedrops could harm someone, Leach reportedly responded: “It would only make him sh‑t himself and puke his brains out”.

The employee promptly contacted authorities. Deputies reviewed the surveillance video and confirmed the act. Using purchase records, they identified and found Leach at his home. His nephew was informed and confirmed he had eaten part of the sandwich but refused medical treatment. Leach was arrested and charged with poisoning food or water—a felony under Florida law—and is currently held in the Pinellas County Jail on $50,000 bond.

The case echoes a previous poisoning incident in Wisconsin, where a woman was convicted of killing her friend by pouring multiple bottles of Visine into her water in 2023. Eyedrop solutions like Visine often contain tetrahydrozoline, which is extremely toxic if ingested. According to the National Capital Poison Control Center, ingestion can cause severe symptoms such as low blood pressure, dangerously slow heart rate, respiratory distress, and even loss of consciousness. Notably, while the chemical irritates the gastrointestinal tract—in some contexts making the victim “puke his brains out”—it does not typically induce diarrhea.

Authorities also noted a history of domestic issues between Leach and his nephew, with multiple previous law enforcement interactions at their shared residence, suggesting this incident was not entirely sudden but part of ongoing conflict.

Leach faces one count of felony poisoning of food or water. If convicted, penalties in Florida can include significant prison time, though specific sentencing guidelines weren’t detailed in the arrest affidavit. He’s currently represented by a public defender and pleaded not guilty. A no-contact order has been imposed between Leach and his nephew.

This incident has drawn attention to the hazards posed by everyday household products. What some may view as a prank can easily escalate into attempted poisoning with potentially life-threatening consequences. Experts and poison-control agencies emphasize that eyedrop solutions are dangerous when ingested, especially in large quantities, and urge immediate medical consultation—even if symptoms seem mild.

Leach remains in custody as the investigation continues. The case is expected to proceed to arraignment and, later, trial. Prosecutors will likely rely on surveillance footage, witness testimony, and the chemical analysis of the eyedrop solution to prove intent and harm. Meanwhile, his nephew is safe but shaken by the incident.