Ex-Sheriff’s Co-Defendants Enter Pleas in Multi-County Gambling Case

The legal squeeze on suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez grew tighter this week when two more co-defendants struck plea deals in the wide-ranging illegal gambling case linked to his administration.

Co-Defendants Strike Plea Deals, Could Testify Against Ex-Sheriff

On Monday, in a Lake County courtroom, Sheldon Wetherholt entered a no-contest plea to racketeering and conspiracy charges, while Sharon Fedrick pleaded guilty to the same offenses. Their decisions followed after Carol Cote, who kept the books for the group, admitted guilt and agreed to help investigators.

As part of Wetherholt’s plea agreement, prosecutors plan to suggest a jail term between three and twelve months in county jail. However, the judge will make the final call. Fedrick looks at a tougher sentence, with state lawyers pushing for three to five years behind bars. Both charges could lead to up to 30 years in prison, reported the Orlando Sentinel.

Cote, who pleaded guilty on October 6, might spend up to a year in county jail if she helps the state. She kept detailed financial records for the operation and gave them to the police later on, even though she was told to get rid of them.

Statements from Co-Defendants Might Prove Key in Ex-Sheriff’s Racketeering Trial

Court documents state that the gambling ring ran under different business facades across Sumter, Marion, Lake, and Osceola counties. The prosecution asserts that Lopez, at the time a deputy running for sheriff, linked business owner Krishna Deokaran with other associates to set up game rooms offering slot-style machines and “fish tables”, gambling devices outlawed in Florida.

After winning the election, Lopez used his position to protect the unlawful casinos from law enforcement scrutiny. The operation took root at a Kissimmee spot called The Eclipse, which law enforcement claims made big money while operating under Lopez’ guard.

Wetherholt, who signed up several companies linked to the operation, informed investigators earlier this year that he had no personal ties with Lopez and thought he was just handling business documents. Yet, prosecutors claim his role played a key part in arranging leases and utilities that kept the casinos going.

The arrests came after a June sweep by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations, which took down what officials called a gambling network worth millions. Lopez was caught that day while wearing his uniform.

Lopez, his estranged wife Robin Severance-Lopez, and another associate, Fedrick, have all said they are not guilty of racketeering and conspiracy charges. His trial, set to start on October 20, might get pushed back as his lawyers try to move it from Lake County to Osceola.

As more plea deals come to light, prosecutors will depend on what cooperating defendants say. Legal experts think these agreements could play a key role in helping the state build its case against the former sheriff.