Suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez has been released from Lake County Jail, three weeks after he was arrested on racketeering charges in connection with an alleged massive gambling operation that was discovered in Central Florida.
Jail records show that Lopez was released at 6:26 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, after posting a $1 million bond. He was initially booked into the facility on Thursday, June 5, and a Lake County judge ruled that funds for his bond must come from legal means, and not from the alleged gambling operation that led to his arrest.
In a court filing on Thursday, June 26, an order was filed with the court indicating that Lopez has satisfied all bond requirements. Hours later, he was bailed out of jail.
Lopez is facing 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, 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.
Earlier this week, Lopez’s wife was arrested in connection with the racketeering charges that landed the suspended sheriff behind bars.