Gainesville felon pleads guilty to federal charges of armed drug trafficking and illegal possession of a firearm

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Eddie Jerome Scott, 38, has pleaded guilty in federal court to distribution of methamphetamine; possession with intent to distribute over 50 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl; carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. 

U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “Time’s up for the armed drug traffickers in the Northern District of Florida who think they can flood our streets with narcotics and violence without consequence. Through Operation Take Back America, the Department of Justice is devoting its full might toward removing these thugs from our streets to deliver the safe, drug-free communities our citizens deserve.”

Original arrest

Scott was originally arrested on September 9, 2025, after a Gainesville Police Department officer arranged a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from him; according to the original arrest report, the Confidential Source met Scott at his residence and purchased 34 grams of methamphetamine while children were in the same room. Scott posted bail, but he and his wife were arrested on September 30, and Eddie Scott was charged with trafficking in amphetamines, trafficking in synthetic cannabinoids, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of selling drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, five counts of child neglect without great bodily harm, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana, and resisting an officer without violence.

Scott faces at least five years’ imprisonment and a maximum potential sentence of life, which includes not less than five years’ imprisonment consecutive to the drug sentences for the possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. 

The case involved an investigation by the Gainesville Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie Utt.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 1, 2026, at 2:00 pm, in the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.

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.