Two Columbia men were sentenced recently to 15 years in prison in Lexington County on drug trafficking charges.

Justin Stewart Goff, 34, pleaded guilty to trafficking fentanyl and unlawful conduct towards a child, and Steven Allen Loan, 36, pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamine (second offense), according to a release.

The pair were sentenced after pleading guilty Jan. 25. Both trafficking charges are classified as violent, serious and “no parole” offenses.

Goff and Loan both had previous drug convictions.

According to the release, early last year, investigators with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team “started investigating possible drug activity around the Peachtree Place apartments in the Columbia area of Lexington County. The investigation revealed that Goff was dealing fentanyl from his shared apartment with Loan.”

The release states that in August agents arrived at the complex to arrest Goff and conduct a search of the home for more drug activity evidence. Goff and Loan were living at the residence with two other adults and  a three-year old child.

“Inside, investigators discovered over 13 grams of fentanyl and over 10 grams of methamphetamine along with several items used in the sale of drugs,” the release reads. ‘All of the drugs found were in easily accessible areas for the young child, including the methamphetamine that was stored inside the young child’s dollhouse.”

According to the release, the case was prosecuted by Assistant Solicitor Jordan Cox on behalf of the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. 

“This case represents the continued efforts of the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and local law enforcement to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who choose to expose our most vulnerable residents to dangerous drugs, such as fentanyl and methamphetamine,” the release states.