Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez said Friday that he was jailed for assault on Thursday, and if he wanted to be free he would have to post a million dollar bond, if he wanted to be free, he was awaiting trial on charges that he allegedly helped run a secret casino before him and between his time.
Judge Emily Currington set $500,000 for each of his accusations, assault and conspiracy during Lopez’s first appearance on Friday.
During the hearing, statewide prosecutor Pangiota Papakos noted that in 2019, he had resolved the charges against Lopez.
The casino generated more than $21.6 million in revenue, and Lopez generated up to $700,000, according to investigators.
“The weight of the evidence includes defendants gained from this illegal company in cash payments between at least $600,000 and $700,000 since 2020,” Papakos said.
Usually seen in traditional Green Sheriff’s uniforms, Lopez attended an online hearing in an orange jumpsuit, dressed like other prisoners.
“How can I start the bail process?” he asked the judge from his Lake County Jail cell. To go outside, he must spend 10% on bail bonds, or $100,000.
The judge said the source of funding for the posted bonds was scrutinized and that Lopez must waive his firearms and passport. He will also undergo GPS monitoring.
His lawyer’s efforts to reduce bonds have failed.
“Mr. Lopez has the title, but I ask the court to ask him to consider Mr. Lopez as an ordinary individual. Not only is he holding the sheriff’s title that he should be treated differently, but the judge said before he ruled the bond.
The criminal charges against Lopez were shocking after Roman’s “criminal-stricken” official persona was a feature of his administration and was arrested Thursday morning.
The investigation was a joint venture between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigation Agency in Tampa.
Florida Attorney General James Usmierer said the office filed its first charges against Marcos, but on Thursday signaled that more charges were pending involving more accomplices.
Along with running a secret casino under the names Fusion Social Club and Eclipse, Lopez has been accused of using secret law enforcement information to skirt accountability.
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The affidavit mentions an illegal gambling scheme based on Kissimmee’s property, a text message between allegedly conspirators of Lopez and expanding the enterprise in search of a Lake County location, Papacos said.
The affidavit has not yet been posted in public court records regarding the case.
Two of his co-defendants — Carol Court and Sharon Fedric, who were jailed Thursday evening, are also expected to be issued bonds. The other two, Sheldon Wetherholt and Ying Chang, are not yet in custody.
Meanwhile, Lopez was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis after news broke about his arrest. Christopher Blackmon, Central Florida Regional Chief of the Florida Highway Patrol, has been appointed interim sheriff.
