ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested Thursday morning.
See our latest videos on this developing story below.
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5:30 p.m. update:
The state’s case lists four co-defendants: Ying Zhang, Sharon Fredrick, Sheldon Wetherholt, and Carol Cote. As of 5:30 p.m., Cote was the only one appearing in a jail log. She was in Lake County.
5 p.m. update:
Lopez’s scheduled arraignment is on June 30 at 8:30 a.m.
4:40 p.m. update:
The law firms Romanucci & Blandin LLC and the Pendas Law Firm also weighed in on Lopez’s arrest. These firms filed a civil lawsuit against Lopez, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, and four deputies in January over an incident on February 22 where deputies tackled a man filling up his motorcycle at a gas station, leaving him with burns across 75% of his body.
Attorneys Antonio Romanucci, Stephen Weil and Sam Harton from the national trial firm Romanucci & Blandin LLC in Chicago and attorney Albert Yonfa from the Pendas Law Firm in Orlando released this joint statement:
“Sheriff Lopez’s arrest on racketeering charges is further evidence of a deeply rooted culture of unlawful behavior from the very top of the Osceola County Sheriff’s Department.
“The charges against Lopez go to show that he was parading as a serious law enforcement officer and was not interested in improving public safety. Keeping communities safe takes hard work, but Sheriff Lopez’s arrest suggests that he was instead putting on a show for social media and let his deputies run wild while he spent his own time engaged in illicit behavior.
“We hope our pending civil lawsuit brings justice not only to our client who was the victim of life threatening injuries by Osceola County Deputies, but to others who have been harmed by a lawless department that all along was overseen by a man allegedly more interested in enriching himself than protecting Osceola County’s residents he was elected to serve.”
3:58 p.m. update:
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood released a statement saying, “I was very disappointed to learn of the arrest of Osceola County’s sheriff. The allegations, if true, are extremely serious and disturbing, and undermine the honor and integrity of every law enforcement officer who wears the badge. I don’t know all the details of the investigation, but the allegations released at this point represent a betrayal of the most basic tenets of law enforcement leadership.”
2:10 p.m. update:
HSI released the video of Lopez’s arrest.
1:23 p.m. update:
Orlando trial attorney Mark NeJame released a statement saying, “We have been a major critic of suspended Osceola County Sheriff Lopez for several years now. We have accused him and some in his office of a variety of questionable activities and misdeeds and have filed suit against him and others for some of these. It’s terrible when any public official is accused of crimes and compromising the very people and laws they are sworn to protect. Sadly, I cannot state that I’m surprised with this recent allegation.”
12:44 p.m. update:
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier released a statement following Lopez’s arrest.
Uthmeier said his charges are related to a “massive illegal gambling operation.”
“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,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “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.”
Uthmeier added that Lopez engaged in the operation for campaign contributions and personal payments, and “played a multifaceted role in expanding and protecting this illegal enterprise, using his office to shield the enterprise from law enforcement.”
The organization generated more than $21.6 million in illicit proceeds, prosecutors said.
Channel 9 has a team of reporters working to gather more details and will provide continuing coverage on Eyewitness News.
12:28 p.m. update:
Lake County deputies released a mugshot of suspended sheriff Marcos Lopez.
His charges are also listed on the jail’s website as racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering.
12:05 p.m. update:
Osceola County officials released the following statement to Channel 9 following Lopez’s arrest:
“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.”
11:55 p.m. update:
Gov. Ron DeSantis has filed an executive order to suspend Lopez.
The order cites a federal count of racketeering, a first-degree felony.
Christopher A. Blackmon, a region chief for the Florida Highway Patrol, has been appointed by the governor to fill Lopez’s position.
Blackmon’s career in law enforcement spans 35 years. He’s led over 850 state troopers and serves as the Florida Highway Patrol’s statewide immigration incident commander.
11:30 a.m. update:
Law enforcement sources told Channel 9 that Lopez was taken to the Lake County Jail.
Channel 9 has several crews around Central Florida working to get more information and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.
11:10 a.m. update:
Multiple law enforcement sources confirmed with WFTV that Lopez’s arrest is related to a conspiracy to commit racketeering charges.
Original report:
Channel 9 has learned that Lopez’s arrest comes after an extended investigation by federal and state law enforcement.
Sources said both Homeland Security and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement have been working on information they received a few months ago.
Sources told Channel 9 that statewide prosecutors have been working with investigators on this case, and a warrant for his arrest was recently signed.
Channel 9 is working to gather more information and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.
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