(WNY News Now) – A 54-year-old Jamestown man has been arrested on a federal charge following a drug investigation involving the Drug Enforcement Administration and Jamestown Police Department.

Koran Leeper, 54, of Jamestown, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if convicted.

According to the federal complaint, the investigation began April 30, 2026, when Jamestown Police officers stopped a vehicle in which Leeper was a passenger.

During the traffic stop, officers observed what they described as a large amount of crystal-like material on Leeper’s chest and legs. When questioned, Leeper reportedly said the substance was cigarette ash.

Officers also reported seeing what they believed to be loose crack cocaine on the driver’s and passenger’s seats, along with part of a torn plastic bag containing a white powdery residue.

The driver declined consent to a vehicle search. Officers subsequently searched the vehicle and reported finding a clear container containing residue from a white powdery substance and a glass smoking device.

Both the driver and Leeper were taken into custody.

According to the complaint, officers then found a plastic bag containing a large amount of crystal-like material in Leeper’s left pocket and another bag containing a white powder-like substance in his right pocket.

The investigation was conducted as part of the federal Homeland Security Task Force initiative.

Leeper appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was ordered detained.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti is prosecuting the case.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Jamestown Police Department. The federal Homeland Security Task Force includes multiple federal law enforcement agencies working on investigations involving drug trafficking and other crimes.

The charge against Leeper is contained in a criminal complaint. A criminal charge is an accusation, and Leeper is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.