Justin Stewart Goff, 34, and Steven Allen Loan, 36, have been sentenced to 15 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges in Lexington County on January 25.
Goff, who pled guilty to Trafficking Fentanyl and Unlawful Conduct Towards a Child, and Loan, who pled guilty to Trafficking Methamphetamine (second offense), received their sentences from Circuit Court Judge William P. Keesley. Both offenses they pled to are classified as violent, serious, and “no parole” offenses under South Carolina law.
The investigation by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team (“NET”) began in the early months of 2023, focusing on potential drug activity around the Peachtree Place apartments in the Columbia area of Lexington County. The inquiry revealed that Goff was involved in dealing fentanyl from his shared apartment with Loan.
On August 10, 2023, NET agents executed the arrest of Goff and conducted a search of the residence for further evidence of drug activity. Apart from Goff and Loan, two additional adults and a three-year-old child were found residing in the apartment. The search uncovered over 13 grams of fentanyl and more than 10 grams of methamphetamine, along with various items used in drug sales. Shockingly, the drugs were found in easily accessible areas for the young child, including methamphetamine stored inside the child’s dollhouse.
Assistant Solicitor Jordan Cox prosecuted the case on behalf of the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Enforcement Team conducted the investigations leading to the arrests and subsequent convictions.