BUFFALO, N.Y. -U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Edward E. Leeper Jr. aka Edward E. Barnes Jr., 47, of Jamestown, with attempted sex trafficking, sex trafficking, kidnapping, aiding and abetting, distribution of fentanyl, and maintaining a drug involved premises, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 90 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between 2019 and 2024, Leeper is accused of sex trafficking or attempting to sex traffic and kidnapping a total of eight victims, using force and threats of force. In addition, Leeper allegedly used a Broadhead avenue residence for his drug trafficking activities, including fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Leeper is also charged in a separate federal case with narcotics trafficking. He is accused of conspiring with Joseph S. Zaso and others, to sell heroin and fentanyl in the Jamestown area between 2018, and May 26, 2022.

Those who have been victimized by Leeper Jr. or who have more information regarding Leeper’s alleged actions in Jamestown, call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE.

The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The indictment is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.