From Lovebirds to Jailbirds: Sheriff’s Wife Arrested in Gambling Scheme
Osceola County, Florida – In a shocking turn of events, Robin Severance-Lopez, the estranged wife of Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, was arrested on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation into a large-scale gambling operation. This comes just weeks after her husband was taken into custody and faced felony charges for racketeering tied to the same operation.
Allegations of Conspiracy
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) arrested Severance-Lopez on state charges of conspiracy to commit racketeering. Details regarding her specific involvement in the alleged criminal activities alongside her husband remain sparse. The investigation suggests that Sheriff Lopez is accused of protecting the gambling operation in exchange for personal benefits and campaign contributions.
Sheriff Marcos Lopez was apprehended earlier this month amid allegations that he played a central role in a gambling enterprise rooted in Kissimmee, a tourist-heavy area near Walt Disney World. This enterprise reportedly generated over $21.6 million in illegal proceeds and involved four other defendants.
Operations and Legal Consequences
Court documents detail that this illegal operation included a lottery, slot machines, and a gambling house operated from a venue called Fusion Social Club. The nature of the activities has raised serious concerns regarding law enforcement integrity and accountability.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass emphasized the gravity of the situation in a statement, noting, “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.”
Following his arrest, Governor Ron DeSantis took swift action by suspending Lopez and appointing a Florida Highway Patrol official as interim sheriff to uphold public safety and maintain order.
Previous Controversies
This is not the first legal issue for Sheriff Lopez. In December, he pleaded no contest to violating state records laws and incurred a $250 fine for improperly posting an image of the body of 13-year-old Madeline Soto online. The girl’s mother’s boyfriend has been charged with her tragic death, adding further scrutiny to Lopez’s conduct during his tenure.
As the investigation unfolds, county officials have stated they are prepared to support the interim sheriff while maintaining transparency regarding the ongoing legal proceedings. An inquiry directed to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office regarding this matter has yet to receive a response.
This story is developing, and more details will follow as they become available.
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Bio: Marcus is a community-based journalist passionate about reporting impactful stories that matter most to readers.