Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez arrested in gambling, corruption case

ORLANDO, Fla. – Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was suspended from office Thursday by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis amid a massive investigation involving illegal gambling and public corruption, according to Florida officials.

Lopez was arrested Thursday and faces one count of racketeering and one count of conspiracy to commit racketeering, both of which are first-degree felonies. He was taken to the Lake County Jail.

[WATCH: Video shows arrest of Marcos Lopez by federal agents]

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier posted on X.com that Lopez was arrested as part of a massive illegal gambling operation and a public corruption scheme.

“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,” Uthmeier wrote.

In a later release, Uthmeier states a multi-agency investigation in 2023 “led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and joined by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) uncovered a criminal organization operating an illegal gambling enterprise throughout Central Florida, particularly in Lake and Osceola Counties” which generated more than $21.6 million in illicit proceeds.

The “gambling house” was called Eclipse Social Club, which was located on West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee. The property is now a Mexican restaurant that is not related to the case.

[VIDEO BELOW: Marcos Lopez to face judge]

The crimes allegedly occurred between August 2019 and at least August 2024, according to court documents.

The charges could lead to up to 30 years in prison. The Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution is handling the case, not the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office.

Four other people were also arrested.

The co-defendants are Carol Cote, Ying Zhang aka “Kate,” Sharon Fedrick, and Sheldon Wetherholt.

Cote and Fedrick worked at the Eclipse Social Club, where the operation was based, according to the charging document.

Lopez, Wetherholt, and Zhang managed the club from January 1, 2024 to late August 2024, according to the document.

As of Thursday afternoon, Cote was the only one of Lopez’s co-defendants to be booked and processed in jail. She is being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond, and is expected to appear before a judge Friday morning.

Wetherholt told News 6 that he planned to turn himself in, but had no other comment.

Interim sheriff appointed

An executive order issued by DeSantis states that Christopher A. Blackmon, has been appointed to replace Lopez while he’s suspended.

Blackmon is the Central Florida regional chief for the Florida Highway Patrol, overseeing troopers in 13 counties across the Orlando and Tampa areas.

[RELATED: Meet Christopher Blackmon, Osceola County’s new interim sheriff]

Blackmon told reporters he was informed of the appointment Thursday morning, describing the day as being like “drinking from a fire hose.”

“My main concern about Osceola County is crime, and reducing crime in Osceola County, and working with the employees here to see if we can do that,” Blackmon said.

Blackmon would not comment on Lopez’s arrest, saying the Florida Department of Law Enforcement was handling the case.

Blackmon became an FHP chief in 2023, according to his LinkedIn page. He joined FHP in 1990.

Blackmon is also the FHP statewide immigration incident commander. Blackmon is a 287(g)-sworn officer, meaning he is able to detain undocumented immigrants. Blackmon said he is also one of the U.S. Marshals-deputized troopers announced by Gov. DeSantis last month.

Blackmon said he would see that Osceola County deputies get 287(g) certified as well.

“So if it’s an immigration enforcement initiative, we will be there,” Blackmon said.

Osceola County Manager Don Fisher issued the following statement on Lopez’s arrest and suspension:

“The Sheriff is a separate constitutional officer, apart from the County or the County Commission, and it’s important to note that the County had no role in this investigation.

“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.

“Further questions regarding this matter may be referred to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office or law enforcement.”

Don Fisher, County Manager

In an email sent to the sheriff’s office staff Thursday afternoon, the team was told Blackmon would be meeting promptly with staff throughout the agency.

Agency leadership also sought to reassure staff, saying the investigation was not against the agency as a whole.

“While this news is deeply concerning, please remember the community still relies on the vital work provided by this office every day, and today is no different,” the email read. “We value and respect the amazing work this team provides to the citizens of Osceola County. We must continue to show our professionalism and dignity through these difficult times.”

Sheriff since 2021

Lopez, a father of three, was sworn into office as sheriff in 2021, becoming the first Hispanic sheriff in the state of Florida, according to his online bio. He was re-elected in November.

Lopez has been with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office for more than two decades. Lopez also served in the military for 22 years.

[FLASHBACK VIDEO: Lopez sworn in as sheriff in 2021]

During his time in office, Lopez ran several campaigns to improve public safety and community policing.

He implemented a Real Time Crime Center in 2021 to better monitor the county for incidents and increase response times.

In 2024, Lopez started the ‘Keeping Our Seniors Safe’ program to better connect with the senior community and make them aware of resources and tools available to prevent crimes against seniors and to keep them safe if something happens to them.

He also started the Women on Watch Initiative in 2023 to get more women in law enforcement, hired full-time Spanish-speaking 911 dispatchers, and started an anti-bullying campaign at Osceola County’s schools.

Some of Lopez’s policies have also been controversial.

Last year, the state attorney’s office put Lopez on a list of law enforcement officers who might be considered “untruthful,” after an investigation into the sheriff posting a photo to social media that showed the dead body of a missing girl, Madeline Soto. Lopez paid a $250 fine for violating Florida public records law.

Earlier this year, Lopez and the sheriff’s office were sued by a man who suffered burns on over 75% of his body after a deputy discharged a taser during a traffic stop at a gas station.

The lawsuit accused Lopez of emphasizing “machismo over reasonable policing.”

[READ the executive order by Gov. DeSantis below]