32-year-old Ormond Beach resident Scott Knowlton has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after being caught with fentanyl while already on probation. Knowlton's hearing came Monday from Circuit Judge Leah Case.
Knowlton's most recent run-in with the law started in August 2025, when he was said to have run away from a Holly Hill police officer. As he was running, Knowlton reportedly dropped a backpack which was found to contain fentanyl and drug paraphernalia.
Law enforcement identified Knowlton as their suspect and obtained an arrest warrant. He remained at-large until November 2025. This is when Brian Henderson, a deputy with the Volusia Sheriff's Office, intervened in a scary incident on Atlantic Avenue.
According to prosecutors, Henderson was driving when he saw Knowlton chasing after a woman. As she was running away, Knowlton reportedly grabbed her and began pulling her with him. Henderson commanded Knowlton to stop what he was doing, but Knowlton was said to have dropped another backpack and ran away toward the Ocean Center.
This time, the backpack was found to contain a firearm and drug paraphernalia. Footage from earlier in the incident appeared to show Knowlton punching the woman in the back of her head. The victim was treated at the scene for her injuries, and Knowlton again evaded law enforcement.
Two days after the Atlantic Avenue incident, Knowlton was finally located and arrested in Ormond Beach. He was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on November 15, 2025. Charges included several counts of violation of probation, kidnapping with bodily harm, fentanyl trafficking, drug paraphernalia possession, resisting an officer without violence, obstructing an officer without violence, and possession of a weapon by an in-state felon among others.
Knowlton was originally placed on probation after a 2023 conviction for fentanyl trafficking and grand theft of a motor vehicle, as well as possession of methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to sell.
In July 2026, Knowlton conceded in court to 14 violations of probation. Even after his sentencing, he has pending charges in Volusia County in relation to domestic violence and drug investigations. "This defendant was irredeemable," said State Attorney R.J. Larizza. "A lost cause who was never going to change. Good riddance."
"Last time I saw Scott Knowlton, he was assaulting and dragging his girlfriend in the street," added Brian Henderson. "Today, it was a pleasure to see him held accountable and sentenced to prison where he can't hurt anyone else. Violent, repeat criminals like him are a danger to our community and a drain on society."
