An Orange, Texas resident has been indicted on federal drug and firearms charges, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas.
Mario Peeples, 35, was charged by a federal grand jury with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a controlled substance on premises where children are present.
According to the indictment, authorities allege that in February and July 2025, Peeples—who has prior felony convictions—was found with three firearms and methamphetamine intended for distribution. Federal law prohibits convicted felons from owning or possessing firearms.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America. According to the Department of Justice, this initiative coordinates resources to combat illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime. The operation combines efforts from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
If convicted on all counts, Peeples could face up to 30 years in federal prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is investigating the case along with the Beaumont Police Department and Orange Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tommy Coleman is prosecuting.
“A federal indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” stated the release.
