Suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez appeared in court Friday after being arrested on felony racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering charges, both first-degree felonies. The arrest follows an extensive investigation into a massive illegal gambling operation in Central Florida that reportedly generated more than $21 million in illicit proceeds.
According to prosecutors, Lopez, who was first elected sheriff in 2020, played a central role in expanding and protecting the illegal gambling enterprise, allegedly accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash payments and campaign contributions from the operation The criminal complaint details how Lopez used his office to shield the gambling business from law enforcement and even leveraged confidential information to obstruct investigations.
The gambling ring, which operated illegal lotteries and slot machines—most notably through the Fusion Social Club in Kissimmee—involved money laundering and other criminal acts Investigators say Lopez continued to support the operation after taking office, collecting a portion of the illegal proceeds.
Judge Emily Curington set Lopez’s bond at $1 million, requiring him to surrender his passport and firearms and submit to GPS monitoring if released His next court appearance is scheduled for June 30.
Racketeering, the central charge, refers to a pattern of illegal activity conducted as part of an organized criminal enterprise, often to generate ongoing revenue through acts such as extortion, fraud, bribery, or, as in this case, illegal gambling.
Governor Ron DeSantis has suspended Lopez from office, appointing Christopher Blackmon as interim sheriff while the investigation continues The case is widely viewed as a significant breach of public trust, with legal experts and law enforcement officials emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations and their impact on the reputation of law enforcement in Florida.
