Augusta Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine

Lexington, SC 10/28/2026 - Angelo Xzavier Allen, a 41-year-old Augusta man, was convicted by a Lexington County jury on Thursday, October 8, 2026, for Trafficking Methamphetamine, 400 grams or more. Circuit Court Judge Jane Merrill presided over the trial and sentenced Allen to twenty-five (25) years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. This conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty-five (25) years in prison. Under South Carolina law, trafficking drugs is classified as a violent, serious offense and Allen will not be eligible for parole.

Assistant Solicitors Player Long and Caroline Strom prosecuted this case on behalf of the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office. The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department Multi-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team (“NET”) conducted the investigation in this case.

On March 12, 2025, a traffic stop was performed along I-20 in Lexington County on Allen’s vehicle while he was traveling from Augusta, Georgia, to Lexington. Allen gave law enforcement consent to search his vehicle, which yielded 491 grams of methamphetamine based on subsequent testing. This large quantity of drugs was located hidden under the passenger seat of the vehicle. Allen was the only occupant of the vehicle, and it was registered to him. During the trial, the jury heard testimony that Allen was traveling from Georgia to Lexington County for a drug transaction.

Assistant Solicitor Long commented that “this conviction underscores our office’s commitment to working alongside law enforcement in protecting our community from the serious harms associated with the distribution of dangerous controlled substances.”

Allen has a prior criminal history from the State of Georgia. His record consists of drug, gun, and aggravated assault convictions. He was on probation for the aggravated assault. Allen has been transported to the South Carolina Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.