XMN News: Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez Arrested on Racketeering Charges Over Illegal Gambling Operation
By XMN News Staff
Published: June 5, 2025, 3:29 PM EDT
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested Thursday morning on charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering, following a multi-agency investigation into his alleged role in a sprawling illegal gambling operation in Central Florida. The operation, which reportedly generated over $21.6 million in illicit proceeds, has sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community and prompted swift action from state officials.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suspended Lopez from his role as Osceola County Sheriff and appointed Christopher Blackmon, a veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), as interim sheriff, effective immediately. Lopez was booked into the Lake County Jail, and authorities have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing, with additional arrests expected.
Allegations and Investigation Details
According to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Lopez played a significant role in a “massive Central Florida gambling operation” that involved lotteries and slot machines. The operation, uncovered through a 2023 investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), spanned Lake and Osceola counties. Uthmeier stated that Lopez initially engaged with the organization for campaign contributions and personal payments during his 2020 election campaign. After being elected sheriff in November 2020, Lopez allegedly continued to advance the interests of the criminal enterprise, collecting a portion of the illegal proceeds and using his position to shield the operation from law enforcement scrutiny.
“This is a solemn day for Florida and our law enforcement community,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “We put great trust in our constitutional officers, especially those who are our communities’ first line of defense. Public servants should never exploit the public’s trust for personal gain. Our statewide prosecutors will hold Sheriff Lopez, his associates, and all lawbreakers accountable.”
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass echoed Uthmeier’s sentiments, emphasizing the high standards expected of law enforcement officers. “This case revealed that Lopez violated the trust and integrity expected of him as the duly elected sheriff of Osceola County,” Glass said. “Florida’s sheriffs are leaders for not only their office and deputies but for their community and the citizens that elected them.”
The Arrest and Public Response
HSI Tampa released a brief video of Lopez’s arrest, showing HSI agents taking the sheriff into custody. While the video lacks audio, Lopez appears to ask, “What is this about?” as he is escorted by agents. The 56-year-old sheriff now faces at least two charges: racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering, both serious felonies.
The arrest has drawn strong reactions from local leaders and law enforcement officials. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd expressed deep disappointment, stating, “I’m extremely disappointed and shocked by Sheriff Lopez’s criminal conduct. He has embarrassed himself, his family, and the great men and women who work at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. His conduct is outrageous, unprofessional, and obviously corrupt. He forgot the first rule in public service: No one is above the law.”
Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa and City Manager Mike Steigerwald addressed the situation in a Facebook Live video, expressing their sadness over the unfolding events. “It’s an unsettling moment,” Espinosa said. Meanwhile, Kissimmee Police Chief Charles Broadway affirmed his department’s commitment to supporting interim Sheriff Blackmon during the transition. “Our focus remains on serving and protecting the residents of Kissimmee with integrity, professionalism, and a shared commitment to public safety,” Broadway said.
Osceola County Manager Don Fisher clarified that the county and its commission had no role in the investigation but pledged support for Blackmon and the Osceola Sheriff’s Department. “The sheriff is a separate constitutional officer, apart from the county or the county commission,” Fisher noted. “However, the county and our commission stand ready at the helm to support interim Sheriff Christopher Blackmon and the courageous men and women of the Osceola Sheriff’s Department however we can during this period, as appropriate.”
State Attorney Mark Nejame, a longtime critic of Lopez, stated that he was not surprised by the allegations. “We have accused him and some in his office of a variety of questionable activities and misdeeds, and my firm had filed suit against him and others for some of these,” Nejame said. “It’s terrible when any public official is accused of crimes and compromising the very people and laws they are sworn to protect.”
Who is Marcos Lopez?
Marcos R. Lopez, 56, was born in Chicago and raised in Central Florida. After earning an associate degree in criminal justice, he joined the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 while serving in the Navy Reserve. Lopez made history in 2021 as the first Hispanic sheriff of Osceola County and the state of Florida. He has three children, two of whom are graduates of the University of Central Florida (UCF).
What is Racketeering?
Racketeering involves a coordinated pattern of illegal activities, often linked to organized crime, designed to generate ongoing revenue through schemes such as extortion, fraud, or bribery. In Lopez’s case, the charges stem from his alleged involvement in an illegal gambling enterprise, which authorities say operated for years across Central Florida.
What’s Next?
The investigation into the gambling operation is ongoing, with authorities expecting to serve additional arrest warrants in the coming days. Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Colleen Monroe and Panagiota Papakos will prosecute Lopez and others allegedly involved in the operation in Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit.
Christopher Blackmon, the newly appointed interim sheriff, steps into the role with a background as a longtime law enforcement leader with the Florida Highway Patrol. His appointment is effective immediately, and he will oversee the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office as the legal proceedings against Lopez unfold.