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June 5, 2025 — The Space Coast Rocket

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Governor Ron DeSantis has issued Executive Order 25-121 suspending Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez from office, following Lopez’s indictment on multiple first-degree felony charges including racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering.

The executive order, issued today, comes after the Statewide Prosecutor charged Sheriff Lopez and several co-defendants in the Fifth Judicial Circuit with participating in a years-long criminal enterprise involving illegal gambling, money laundering, and accepting unlawful compensation while holding public office.

According to the detailed 12-page information filed by the Statewide Prosecutor, the criminal conspiracy allegedly operated between August 2019 and August 2024 across multiple counties — including Lake, Orange, and Osceola. The investigation outlines an extensive illegal gambling operation run through an establishment called Fusion Social Club, LLC, doing business as Eclipse Social Club in Kissimmee.

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The state alleges that Lopez, while serving as sheriff, not only participated in the illegal gambling enterprise but also repeatedly accepted unlawful financial benefits tied to his official duties, violating Florida Statute 838.016 on multiple occasions. The charges include:

• Racketeering (F.S. 895.03(3)) — First-degree felony.
• Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F.S. 895.03(4)) — First-degree felony.
• Unlawful Compensation for Official Behavior — Spanning multiple years of his term as Sheriff.
• Disclosure of Confidential Criminal Justice Information — Allegedly obstructing criminal investigations.
• Numerous incidents of illegal slot machine possession, illegal lotteries, and keeping gambling houses.

In total, the information outlines 26 predicate criminal acts, including repeated use of two-way communications devices to further criminal activity, gambling violations, money laundering, and abuse of Lopez’s public office.

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Governor DeSantis cited his constitutional authority under Article IV, Section 7 of the Florida Constitution, which allows for the suspension of county officers charged with felonies, misfeasance, malfeasance, or neglect of duty. In the executive order, DeSantis emphasized that “under my administration, Florida is a law-and-order State” and stated it was in the best interest of Osceola County residents to immediately suspend Lopez.

Effective immediately, DeSantis has appointed Christopher A. Blackmon as the acting Sheriff of Osceola County. Blackmon, a 35-year veteran of the Florida Highway Patrol, most recently served as Central Region Chief, overseeing more than 850 troopers and 95 civilian employees statewide. Blackmon also has extensive experience as the Statewide Immigration Incident Commander and has been active in community service programs like Special Olympics and Make-a-Wish.

Lopez’s suspension remains in effect pending further executive action or legal resolution of the felony charges. He is prohibited from performing any official duties or receiving any compensation during the suspension period. State law enforcement agencies have been directed to oversee the transition and secure all evidence, files, and records from the Sheriff’s Office.

This unprecedented suspension of an elected county sheriff underscores the seriousness of the charges and signals a major escalation in statewide efforts to combat public corruption.

We will continue to follow this developing story as more details emerge.

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