TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez appeared in the first courtroom after being arrested Friday on assault charges.
The judge granted Lopez a $1 million bond on the condition that he would wear a GPS monitor and give up his passport and firearm.
Watch: Osceola Sheriff Marcos Lopez has been arrested for assault
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expelled Lopez on Thursday after investigators revealed connections to illegal gambling operations dating back to 2019, according to Florida Attorney General James Usmiel.
Lopez was accused of using money from the surgery to fund his campaign and make personal payments. A news release from Uthmeier’s office said after Lopez’s 2020 election, he continues to receive money and uses his position as sheriff to protect the operation from law enforcement scrutiny.
Several agencies, including the Homeland Security Investigation and the Florida Law Enforcement Department, discovered gambling operations primarily based in Lake and Osceola County in 2023, according to Uthmeier.
More arrests are expected to be made in connection with the incident. Lopez is scheduled to return to court on June 30th.
