Lexington County Drug Trafficker Receives 25-Year Sentence for Cocaine Crimes

Lexington County Man Sentenced for Cocaine Trafficking

In a significant blow against drug trafficking in South Carolina, a Lexington County man has been handed a hefty 25-year prison sentence for his involvement in the illegal cocaine trade. On Thursday, Walter Goad was found guilty of trafficking more than 200 grams of cocaine, and the announcement of his sentencing was made by none other than the South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson.

Cops on the Case

The long and winding road of this case dates back to August 2016, when law enforcement agents began to peel back the layers on a suspected cocaine dealer operating in Kershaw County. It didn’t take long for investigators to uncover that Goad was the mastermind supplying the drugs. The investigation heated up when agents observed Goad arriving at a residence on Ward Road in Lugoff on September 22, 2016.

Within minutes of his arrival, the suspected dealer made a call to a confidential informant, declaring excitedly that he had just gotten his hands on the cocaine he had been eagerly waiting for. Talk about timing!

Cracking the Case

Acting swiftly, law enforcement agents executed a search of the residence. What did they find? A whopping ten ounces of cocaine stashed away! The suspected dealer wasted no time in revealing to the officers that it was indeed Goad who had just made the delivery.

Not stopping there, agents decided to set up a monitored and recorded phone call with Goad. During this phone call, Goad was quite the character, demanding to know where his money was and referencing the cocaine that he had just delivered. But wait, it gets more intense! After hanging up, Goad called back, casually asking whether he needed to “send people over to Kershaw County to put guns in people’s faces to make them pay their drug debts.” Now that’s a chilling statement!

A Thorough Search

This led to further action, and on October 3, 2016, agents carried out a search warrant at Goad’s home in Lexington County. They weren’t just rolling the dice. A K9 unit was called in, and lo and behold, the furry officer alerted them to something suspicious in a large black bin located in the garage. Inside, they discovered industrial-sized packaging materials that matched the ones used for the cocaine, along with a large digital scale and what appeared to be a drug ledger.

Justice Served

After four days of testimony in court, Judge Jocelyn Newman didn’t hold back when it came time to pass sentence. In addition to the 25-year prison term, Goad was also slapped with a hefty $100,000 fine. Ouch!

The Bigger Picture

Kershaw County Sheriff Lee Boan emphasized the importance of tackling drug trafficking, stating, “We are always thankful to see drug traffickers get prosecuted and sentenced to prison. These crimes often get forgotten because drug trafficking can be seen as a victimless crime. It is not.”

This case serves as a reminder that drug-related offenses can have a profound impact on communities, and law enforcement is committed to eradicating this issue, one arrest at a time.

As the dust settles on this significant arrest, the residents of Lexington County can breathe a little easier, knowing that efforts to keep their community safe are ongoing. Keep your eyes peeled for updates, as authorities continue their diligent work in the fight against drugs!