Lexington, SC 07/24/2021 – A man who was caught selling drugs by agents with SLED in the parking lot of a West Columbia business was convicted this week on multiple criminal counts. Jerome Smith, age 57, has been found guilty of Trafficking Heroin, Distribution of Heroin, and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin in Lexington County.
Following a bench trial last week before the Honorable Walton J. McLeod, IV, Chief Administrative Judge, Smith was sentenced to 25 years for the Trafficking offense, and received concurrent sentences of 10 years for the remaining two offenses.
Smith, of West Columbia, was charged with selling Heroin while parked at the West Columbia Wal-Mart on the morning of October 23, 2019. After arresting Smith at the scene, Special Agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) Narcotics Division located more Heroin, packaged for sale in the same manner. A search of Smith’s West Columbia apartment revealed a stash of Heroin over 16 grams, $1,800.00 in cash, a digital scale, and a large assortment of baggies identical to those used for packaging by Smith earlier in the day.
This case was prosecuted by 11th Circuit Assistant Solicitors Jordan Cox and Bradley Pogue of the Lexington County Solicitor’s Office. The investigation was led by the SLED Narcotics Division.
Smith has been transported to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin immediate service of the sentence.
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