A Florida constable was jailed over charges he orchestrated a huge prohibited gaming operation, raking in millions of dollars while doing so.
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, 44, has been accused of using his badge to shield a an illegal wagering empire that prosecutors state generated more than $21.6 million in unclean money.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the charges in a statement saying: 'This is a solemn day for Florida and our law enforcement neighborhood. We put excellent rely on our constitutional officers, specifically those who are our communities' very first line of defense. Public servants must never ever make use of the general public's trust for individual gain.'
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Busted: Florida constable Marcos Lopez was apprehended on allegations he orchestrated a prohibited betting operation
Lopez now faces 2 first-degree felony counts: racketeering and conspiracy to dedicate racketeering.
According to district attorneys, the sheriff played a 'multifaceted role' in expanding and safeguarding the illicit operation, personally benefiting through project contributions and secret payments.
Lopez's fall from grace is all the more jarring considering his background. Born in Chicago and raised in Central Florida, he joined the Osceola County Sheriff's Office in 2003 while serving in the Navy Reserve.
He later on earned a partner's degree in criminal justice and increased through the ranks to end up being constable in 2021, making history while doing so as the county's very first Hispanic sheriff
Lopez was re-elected in 2024, however his 2nd term hardly got underway before the investigation got underway.
In custody: Now booked into the Lake County Jail without bond, Lopez deals with an arraignment hearing set for June 30
If founded guilty, he might deal with decades behind bars.
The scandal became public on Wednesday, when Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, supported by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), dove in and detained Lopez.
In a video published by HSI Tampa, representatives can be seen approaching the constable as he asks, 'What is this about?' before being handcuffed and led away.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: 'Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, no one is above the law - consisting of public authorities.'
Illegal operation: Prosecutors state the constable played a 'diverse role' in expanding and securing the illegal betting ring
Governor Ron DeSantis also squandered no time, releasing an executive order suspending Lopez from workplace.
In swift a reaction, DeSantis selected Florida Highway Patrol Central Region Chief Christopher Blackmon, a 35-year law enforcement veteran, to work as interim sheriff.
'He has embarrassed himself, his household, and the fantastic males and females who operate at the Osceola County Sheriff's Office,' stated Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. 'His conduct is outrageous, unprofessional, and obviously corrupt.'
Attorney Mark NeJame, who has long slammed Lopez, added: 'It's horrible when any public authorities is implicated of criminal offenses and jeopardizing the very people and laws they are sworn to safeguard. Sadly, I can not state that I marvel with this newest claims.'
In a joint declaration following his arrest, attorneys Antonio Romanucci, Stephen Weil, Sam Harton, and Albert Yonfa stated: 'Sheriff Lopez's arrest on racketeering charges is more evidence of a deeply rooted culture of illegal habits from the extremely top of the Osceola County Sheriff's Department. The charges reveal he was parading as a major police officer while rather engaging in illegal habits.'
Background: Lopez was born in Chicago and raised in Central Florida. He initially joined the US military when he was just 17 and finished 22 years of service
The investigation into Lopez's supposed criminal empire started in 2023 and has exposed a tangled web of corruption.
The unlawful enterprise, according to detectives, ran lotteries and fruit machine throughout Lake and Osceola Counties.
Prosecutors state Lopez not just safeguarded the operation but advanced its interests after taking workplace in 2021.
'As law enforcement, we are held to greater standards of integrity and character than other professions,' stated FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. 'This case exposed that Lopez violated the trust and stability anticipated of him as the appropriately elected constable.'
More arrests are anticipated in the coming days as detectives unwind the full level of the gambling network.
Osceola County Manager Don Fisher stressed that the county had no role in the examination, but stated it 'stands all set at the helm' to support Interim Sheriff Blackmon and the sheriff's department throughout this troubled period.
In the wake of the arrest, Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa and City Manager Mike Steigerwald appeared on Facebook Live, with Espinosa calling it 'an unsettling minute' for the community.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood added: 'The accusations, if real, are extremely major and disturbing, and undermine the honor and integrity of every police officer who wears the badge.'