Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez has been arrested and suspended following allegations that he accepted cash from and guarded an enormous unlawful playing operation that raked in additional than $21.6 million throughout Central Florida, authorities introduced Thursday.
Florida Lawyer Common James Uthmeier confirmed that Lopez, 56, was arrested on racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering costs after a prolonged investigation led by Homeland Safety Investigations, with help from the Florida Division of Regulation Enforcement.
Investigators first uncovered the illicit playing enterprise in 2023, which was working in Lake and Osceola Counties and producing tens of tens of millions in illegal proceeds. Officers say Lopez initially acquired marketing campaign contributions and private funds from the group. However after his election as Osceola County Sheriff in November 2020, he allegedly continued to help the legal enterprise, receiving a lower of the income and utilizing his workplace to defend the operation from regulation enforcement scrutiny.
Lopez was booked into the Lake County Jail, in keeping with public data. Authorities stated a number of different suspects are anticipated to be served with search warrants in connection to the case.
“It is a solemn day for Florida and our regulation enforcement group,” Uthmeier stated in a press release. “We put nice belief in our constitutional officers, particularly those that are our communities’ first line of protection. Nevertheless, the regulation should be utilized equally, no matter place, energy, or department of presidency. Public servants ought to by no means exploit the general public’s belief for private achieve. Our Statewide Prosecutors will maintain Sheriff Lopez, his associates, and all lawbreakers accountable.”
Following the arrest, Governor Ron DeSantis issued an government order suspending Lopez from workplace and appointed Christopher A. Blackmon, a veteran of the Florida Freeway Patrol, as Interim Osceola County Sheriff.
Osceola County Supervisor Don Fisher addressed the state of affairs in a press release Thursday:
“The Sheriff is a separate constitutional officer, aside from the County or the County Fee, and it’s essential to notice that the County had no function on this investigation. Nevertheless, the County and our Fee stand prepared on the helm to help Interim Sheriff Christopher Blackmon and the brave women and men of the Osceola Sheriff’s Division nonetheless we will throughout this era, as acceptable.”
The investigation stays ongoing.
