CONVICTED FELON CHARGED WITH ARMED DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA - Scott D. Oranje, 52, of Mary Ester, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.

Oranje appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.

If convicted, Oranje faces a minimum of 5 years' imprisonment up to 40 years' imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl count, a minimum of 5 years' imprisonment up to life imprisonment on the possession of a firearm in furtherance count, and up to 15 years' imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon count.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, human and drug trafficking.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of FloridaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.