Anderson Man sentenced for Methamphetamine Trafficking

United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon stated today that 40-year-old Matthew Vinson Leopard of Anderson was sentenced in federal court in Anderson, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking. 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 Nov. 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.