Photos for Headline Surfer / TOP: Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez is arrested in uniform at his office in Kissimmee on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2025, on multiple felony counts of gambling and racketeering and suspended from office by Gov. Ron DeSantis. LEFT: The governor has appointed Christopher A. Blackmon, the Central Region Chief for the Florida Highway Patrol, to serve as Osceola County sheriff. BELOW: The former Eclipse in Osceola County is where Lopez's gambling enterprise allegedly took place.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez has been suspended from his elected office by Gov. Ron DeSantis following his arrest on state racketeering and conspiracy charges earlier today.
Lopez, 56, was transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was being held without bail.
The governor has appointed Christopher A. Blackmon, the Central Region Chief for the Florida Highway Patrol, to fill the county law enforcement office.
A 35-year law enforcement veteran, Blackmon leads over 850 sworn troopers and 95 civilian employees. Blackmon is the Florida Highway Patrol Statewide Immigration Incident Commander for all 67 Counties. Active in his community, he has volunteered for the Special Olympics, the Clermont Little League, and Make-A-Wish. Blackmon earned his bachelor’s degree in homeland security from Vincennes University.
Lopez, elected sheriff in 2020 and re-elected in 2024, faces one count of Racketeering, a first-degree felony under section 895.03(3), Florida Statutes, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, a first-degree felony under section 895.03(4), Florida Statutes. The Fifth Judicial Circuit is bringing the charges. If convicted of the racketeering charge, Lopez faces up to 30 years in prison.
Here is a summary of the state's allegations against Lopez following his arrest:
• In 2023, a multi-agency investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and joined by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) was launched.
• Officials say the investigation uncovered a criminal organization operating an illegal gambling enterprise throughout Central Florida, particularly in Lake and Osceola counties. Officials say the organization generated more than $21.6 million in illicit proceeds.
• Following Lopez’s election as Osceola County Sheriff in November 2020, investigators say he continued to advance the interests of the criminal organization and collected a portion of the illegal gambling proceeds for his involvement.
• Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and other charges may be announced later. Other individuals are expected to be served with arrest warrants in the coming days.
Fla. Attorney General James Uthmeier accuses Lopez of involvement in a massive Central Florida gambling operation
Details in the 12-page information: State of Florida Criminal Allegations against Marcos R. Lopez .
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has released a statement regarding the charges against Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, accusing him of involvement in a massive central Florida gambling operation.
The statement, issued by My Florida Legal, says the charges include racketeering and other offenses related to the operation. The Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution has charged Lopez and others, according to NBC News.
Uthmeier's statement highlights that the law must be applied equally regardless of position or power, emphasizing the importance of holding public officials accountable. The Office of Governor DeSantis confirmed the suspension of Lopez and the appointment of a temporary Sheriff.
Uthmeier's Office of Statewide Prosecution charged Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez and others in a massive Central Florida gambling operation. Initially engaging in the operation for campaign contributions and personal payments, Sheriff Lopez played a multifaceted role in expanding and protecting this illegal enterprise, using his office to shield the enterprise from law enforcement.
"This is a solemn day for Florida and our law enforcement community. We put great trust in our constitutional officers, especially those who are our communities' first line of defense," Uthmeier said. "However, the law must be applied equally, regardless of position, power, or branch of government. 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."
"Today's arrest underscores HSI's commitment to holding everyone, including public officials, accountable. No one, regardless of their position, is above the law," said John Condon, Homeland Security Investigations Tampa special agent in charge. "Corruption undermines the integrity of public trust. HSI, along with our partners, is committed to combating it."
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass also weighed in: As law enforcement, we are held to higher standards of integrity and character than other professions. This case revealed that Lopez violated the trust and integrity expected of him as the duly elected sheriff of Osceola County.”
Glass continued: “Florida’s sheriffs are leaders for not only their office and deputies, but for their community and the citizens that elected them. I want to thank our agents and analysts who worked diligently on this case with HSI and the Office of Statewide Prosecution to make sure that law enforcement officers are held to the standards expected of them.”
State: Criminal organization generated more than $21.6 million in illicit gambling proceeds with heavy involvement by Lopez - additional arrests expected
. In 2023, a multi-agency investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and joined by FDLE uncovered a criminal organization operating an illegal gambling enterprise throughout Central Florida, particularly in Lake and Osceola Counties. The organization generated more than $21.6 million in illicit proceeds.
Following his election as Osceola County Sheriff in November 2020, Lopez continued to advance the interests of the criminal organization and collected a portion of the illegal gambling proceeds for his involvement. Other individuals are expected to be served with arrest warrants in the coming days.
Lopez is charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering.
Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Colleen Monroe and Panagiota Papakos will prosecute the defendants in Florida's Fifth Judicial Circuit.
The investigation is ongoing, and other charges may be announced at a later date.
Bio: Marcos R. Lopez
Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez was born in Chicago and raised in Central Florida. He is a proud father of three healthy children, two of whom are U.C.F. graduates. He originally joined the U.S. military when he was only 17 and completed 22 years of service. One of his primary drivers for joining the military was the inspirational leadership exhibited by his grandfather, who gallantly served during World War I.
Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez began his career with the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office in 2003 while serving in the Navy Reserve and after obtaining an associate degree in criminal justice. During his tenure, Lopez has worked in various operational and administrative capacities, including the Communications and Patrol Divisions, Criminal Investigations, and the Community Response Team.
Lopez has been recognized with several awards and accolades throughout his career, including the Meritorious Service Award by the U.S. Navy, History Maker, and Community Champion by the Florida House of Representatives, Public Service Award by Premios El Josco, and First Responder Essential Worker by the Florida Puerto Rican Parade.
Honors and Affiliations: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
Marcos Lopez graduated from the Police Academy at the Technical Educational Center of Osceola. During military service, his primary occupational specialty was 9545, and he was a linguist proficient in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
While serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, his unit provided security for the military and civilians in convoys. He was specifically tasked with assisting the South Korean, Japanese, and Taiwanese military troops entering the Middle East and transitioning to Baghdad, Iraq. In addition to the various trainings available during combat, he became explosive ordinance certified, certified in counterterrorism, and supervised logistical operations during combat and peacetime.
Lopez was sworn in as Osceola County sheriff on Jan. 5, 2021, on the steps of Osceola County’s Historic Courthouse. He made history by becoming the first Hispanic Sheriff in the county and the State of Florida.
Since 2021, Lopez has implemented a Real Time Crime Center and new specialty units, including the Tactical Anti-Crime Unit, Osceola County Narcotics Bureau, and a Fugitive Extradition Program or Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.) with Puerto Rico. Other initiatives implemented by Sheriff Lopez include the Juveniles Unleashing Maximum Potential (J.U.M.P.). This program creates mentorship between juveniles and deputies.
He also launched the Women on Watch Initiative (the first-ever all-female police academy), the Osceola County Sheriff’s Mobile Office, a Mental Health Division, an anti-bullying program, the Veterans Initiating Change Through an Organized Response (V.I.C.T.O.R.) Board, a Community Advisory Board of Enforcement Standards, a Juvenile Outreach Unit, a Police Athletic League, a Safe Place Program, Project Lifesaver, Project EASE, and the Osceola Sheriff Foundation.
Sheriff Lopez also improved response time to Spanish-speaking citizens by creating and implementing a Spanish-speaking translator/call-taker program. Marcos ran as a registered No Party Affiliation candidate or NPA.
Memo to Florida's working press from the governor's spokesman
TO: Members of the Press
FROM: Bryan Griffin, Director of Communications, Governor Ron DeSantis
DATE: Thursday, June 5, 2025
RE: Executive Order Number 25-121
Please see Executive Order 25-121, attached and below, an Executive Order of Suspension for Marcos R. Lopez, presently serving as the Sheriff for Osceola County, Florida.
Please see below and attached EO-25-121:
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 25-121
(Executive Order of Suspension)
WHEREAS, Article IV of the Florida Constitution vests the State’s “supreme executive power” in the Governor and requires the Governor to “take care” that the laws of Florida are faithfully executed. Art. IV, § 1(a), Fla. Const.; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the Governor’s executive responsibility, the Governor “may suspend from office . . . any county officer . . . for malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or commission of a felony.” Art. IV, § 7(a), Fla. Const.; and
WHEREAS, a county sheriff is a “county officer” subject to the Governor’s suspension power. Art. VIII, § 1(d), Fla. Const.; Israel v. Desantis, 269 So. 3d 491 (Fla. 2019); and
WHEREAS, Marcos R. Lopez is presently serving as the Sheriff for Osceola County, Florida, having been reelected by the voters of Osceola County in 2024 for a four-year term; and
WHEREAS, Lopez was informed against in the Fifth Judicial Circuit on June 5, 2025, for one count of Racketeering, a first-degree felony under section 895.03(3), Florida Statutes, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, a first-degree felony under section 895.03(4), Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the information is attached hereto and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Executive Order; and
WHEREAS, under my administration, Florida is a law-and-order State; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the residents of Osceola County, and the citizens of the State of Florida, that Lopez be immediately suspended from public office.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida, pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the State of Florida, do hereby find, and for the purposes of article IV, section 7 of the Florida Constitution, determine as follows:
A. Marcos R. Lopez is, and at all material times was, the Sheriff for Osceola County, Florida.
B. The office of county sheriff is within the purview of the suspension powers of the Governor, pursuant to Article IV, section 7 of the Florida Constitution.
C. The actions and omissions of Marcos R. Lopez, as referenced above and described in the information attached hereto, which is incorporated by reference, constitute the commission of a felony for the purposes of Article IV, section 7 of the Florida Constitution.
D. If, after execution of this suspension, additional facts are discovered that illustrate malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, or other constitutional grounds for suspension of Marcos R. Lopez, this Executive Order may be amended to allege those additional facts.
BEING FULLY ADVISED in the premises, and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the State of Florida, this Executive Order is issued, effective immediately:
Section 1. Marcos R. Lopez is hereby suspended from the public office that he now holds, to wit: Sheriff for Osceola County, Florida.
Section 2. Marcos R. Lopez is hereby prohibited from performing any official act, duty, or function of public office; from receiving any pay or allowance; from being entitled to any of the emoluments or privileges of public office during the period of this suspension, which period shall be from the effective date hereof, until a further executive order is issued, or as otherwise provided by law.
Section 3. As of the signing of this Executive Order, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, assisted by other law enforcement agencies as necessary, is requested to: (i) assist in the immediate transition of Marcos R. Lopez from the Osceola County Sheriff’s office; and (ii) ensure that no files, papers, documents, notes, records, computers, or removable storage media are removed from the Osceola County Sheriff’s office by the suspended individual or any of his staff.
Section 4. Christopher A. Blackmon is hereby appointed forthwith, effective June 5, 2025, to fill the position of Sheriff for Osceola County, Florida, in accordance with Article IV, section 7, subsection (a) of the Florida Constitution for the duration of the suspension.
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