Florida Sheriff Arrested as Part of $21M+ Gambling Bust

Florida is keeping the heat on illegal gambling with state authorities now homing in on a new multi-million ring, that has implicated at least one member of law enforcement. Authorities arrested a sheriff in central Florida and charged him with racketeering as well as conspiracy.

Sheriff Arrested as Part of Gambling Operation Bust

Marcos Lopez the Osceola County Sheriff, is now facing first-degree felonies and has been held in custody at Lake County, Florida. The operation the sheriff has been arrested for could be worth as much as $21.6 million, as the official cited by authorities and publicly available documents.

Sheriff Lopez is suspected of having accepted payments from the illegal gambling operation, receiving payments and gifts. In exchange, he would offer a sort of protection to the operations and try to steer his colleagues away from the gambling outfit.

The state has been quick to act, with Florida AG James Uthmeier issuing an official statement, and Gov. Ron DeSantis dismissing the sheriff, replacing him with a sub from the Florida Highway Patrol.

The exact details of the operation for which Sheriff Lopez was arrested and charged are not immediately and fully known. It is said that a physical gambling establishment was operated by several people who offered lottery and slot machine options to locals.

The gaming establishment was based in Kissimmee, Florida and known as the Fusion Social Club.

Governor and Attorney General Act Swiftly in the Case

Investigators concluded that the venue may have amassed up to $21.6 million in revenue obtained through placing illegal wagers. A statement by Florida Department of Law Enforcement commissioner Mark Glass was also released:

“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.”

The investigation has demonstrated the police’s capabilities of tracking illegal activities, even when they are assisted by members of law enforcement.