United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SEP 16 - BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Michael J. Ferguson Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Mark Leigh-James, 24, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 120 months of imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in July and August 2015, the Fairfield Police Department orchestrated four controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Leigh-James.  The DEA’s Bridgeport Task Force then made two additional controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Leigh-James.  On August 12, 2015, Leigh-James sold an undercover officer approximately 82.9 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $3,600.  On September 18, 2015, Leigh-James sold a second undercover officer approximately 104 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for $8,000.  The purity of the methamphetamine sold by Leigh-James ranged from 98.7 percent to 100 percent.  Leigh-James was arrested in Bridgeport on October 5, 2015.  A search of a backpack Leigh-James had been holding revealed approximately 7.5 grams of heroin, and a search of a second backpack located in Leigh-James’ vehicle revealed a clear plastic bag containing approximately 120 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded Kel-Tec .380 semi-automatic handgun.  Agents also found a loaded Charter Arms .44 magnum revolver, which was in a jacket in the vehicle.  The .380 handgun had been reported stolen in Stratford in 2009.

At the time of his arrest, Leigh-James was on bond for state charges involving the unlawful possession of a firearm and oxycodone pills.  Leigh-James has been detained since his arrest.  On June 24, 2016, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, methamphetamine, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

This matter was investigated by the DEA’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, with the assistance from the Fairfield Police Department.  The Task Force includes members from the Bridgeport, Stamford, Stratford, Norwalk, Milford and Trumbull Police Departments, and the Connecticut State Police.