Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested on racketeering charges in connection with an alleged massive gambling operation that was discovered in Central Florida.
Shortly after 11:35 a.m. on Thursday, Lopez was booked into Lake County Jail on the following charges: one count of racketeering and one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering. Both charges are first-degree felonies.
After Lopez’s arrest, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order suspending Lopez from his position and appointing Christopher A. Blackmon as the interim Sheriff for Osceola County.
In a press release on Thursday, Attorney General James Uthmeier stated that Lopez allegedly took part in the gambling operation for campaign contributions and personal payments, using his position as sheriff to expand and protect the illegal enterprise from law enforcement agencies.
Back in 2023, a multi-agency investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations allegedly uncovered an illegal gambling ring operating in Central Florida, particularly in Lake and Osceola Counties. Investigators state that the organization generated over $21.6 million in proceeds.
Lopez was elected as Osceola County Sheriff in November of 2020. Following his election, he allegedly helped advance the interests of the criminal organization while collecting a portion of the illegal gambling proceeds for his alleged involvement.
“As law enforcement, we are held to higher standards of integrity and character than other professions,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass. “This case [allegedly] revealed that Lopez violated the trust and integrity expected of him as the duly elected sheriff of Osceola County.”
Lopez is currently being held without bond at Lake County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 30, according to jail records.