United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced this week that Matthew Vinson Leopard, age 40, of Anderson, was sentenced in federal court in Anderson, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c). United States District Judge Timothy M. Cain, of Anderson, sentenced Leopard to 120 months imprisonment and five years of supervised release.
Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that Leopard had been dealing in both methamphetamine and firearms. Specifically, Leopard was arrested, on November 22, 2016, in possession of 166 grams of methamphetamine, a Kel-Tec 9mm handgun, an SKS sawed off rifle, a 16-guage shotgun, and a .22 Long Rifle.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney D. Josev Brewer of the Greenville office handled the case.
