Newscast video shows the moment Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested by Department of Homeland Security officers.
Homeland Security Statement on X
Osceola County, FL Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested by Homeland Security Investigations for his involvement in an illegal gambling operation in central Florida that generated more than $20 million in profits. Lopez is charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering.
Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, no one is above the law—including public officials.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Press Release
NOTE TO PRESS: Executive Order Number 25-121
June 5 2025
TO: Members of the Press
FROM: Bryan Griffin, Director of Communications, Governor Ron DeSantis
DATE: Wednesday, June 5, 2025
RE: Executive Order Number 25-121
Please see attached and below Executive Order 25-121, an Executive Order of Suspension for Marcos R. Lopez, presently serving as the Sheriff for Osceola County, Florida. As noted in the Order, Mr. Lopez was informed against in the Fifth Judicial Circuit on June 5, 2025, for one count of Racketeering, a first-degree felony under section 895.03(3), Florida Statutes, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, a first-degree felony under section 895.03(4), Florida Statutes.
Marcos R. Lopez is suspended from the public office that he now holds, and Christopher A. Blackmon is appointed, effective June 5, 2025, to fill the position of Sheriff for Osceola County, Florida, in accordance with Article IV, section 7, subsection (a) of the Florida Constitution for the duration of the suspension.
Christopher Blackmon
Blackmon is the Central Region Chief for the Florida Highway Patrol. A 35-year law enforcement veteran, he leads over 850 sworn troopers and 95 civilian employees. Blackmon serves as the Florida Highway Patrol Statewide Immigration Incident Commander for all 67 Counties. Active in his community, he has served as a volunteer for the Special Olympics, the Clermont Little League, and Make-a-Wish. Blackmon earned his bachelor’s degree in homeland security from Vincennes University.
Please see below and attached EO-25-121:
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 25-121
(Executive Order of Suspension)
WHEREAS, Article IV of the Florida Constitution vests the State’s “supreme executive power” in the Governor and requires the Governor to “take care” that the laws of Florida are faithfully executed. Art. IV, § 1(a), Fla. Const.; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of the Governor’s executive responsibility, the Governor “may suspend from office . . . any county officer . . . for malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, or commission of a felony.” Art. IV, § 7(a), Fla. Const.; and
WHEREAS, a county sheriff is a “county officer” subject to the Governor’s suspension power. Art. VIII, § 1(d), Fla. Const.; Israel v. Desantis, 269 So. 3d 491 (Fla. 2019); and
WHEREAS, Marcos R. Lopez is presently serving as the Sheriff for Osceola County, Florida, having been reelected by the voters of Osceola County in 2024 for a four-year term; and
WHEREAS, Lopez was informed against in the Fifth Judicial Circuit on June 5, 2025, for one count of Racketeering, a first-degree felony under section 895.03(3), Florida Statutes, and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering, a first-degree felony under section 895.03(4), Florida Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the information is attached hereto and incorporated as if fully set forth in this Executive Order; and
WHEREAS, under my administration, Florida is a law-and-order State; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the residents of Osceola County, and the citizens of the State of Florida, that Lopez be immediately suspended from public office.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RON DESANTIS, Governor of Florida, pursuant to the Constitution and the laws of the State of Florida, do hereby find, and for the purposes of article IV, section 7 of the Florida Constitution, determine as follows:
A. Marcos R. Lopez is, and at all material times was, the Sheriff for Osceola County, Florida.
B. The office of county sheriff is within the purview of the suspension powers of the Governor, pursuant to Article IV, section 7 of the Florida Constitution.
C. The actions and omissions of Marcos R. Lopez, as referenced above and described in the information attached hereto, which is incorporated by reference, constitute the commission of a felony for the purposes of Article IV, section 7 of the Florida Constitution.
D. If, after execution of this suspension, additional facts are discovered that illustrate malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, or other constitutional grounds for suspension of Marcos R. Lopez, this Executive Order may be amended to allege those additional facts.
BEING FULLY ADVISED in the premises, and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the State of Florida, this Executive Order is issued, effective immediately:
Section 1. Marcos R. Lopez is hereby suspended from the public office that he now holds, to wit: Sheriff for Osceola County, Florida.
Section 2. Marcos R. Lopez is hereby prohibited from performing any official act, duty, or function of public office; from receiving any pay or allowance; from being entitled to any of the emoluments or privileges of public office during the period of this suspension, which period shall be from the effective date hereof, until a further executive order is issued, or as otherwise provided by law.
Section 3. As of the signing of this Executive Order, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, assisted by other law enforcement agencies as necessary, is requested to: (i) assist in the immediate transition of Marcos R. Lopez from the Osceola County Sheriff’s office; and (ii) ensure that no files, papers, documents, notes, records, computers, or removable storage media are removed from the Osceola County Sheriff’s office by the suspended individual or any of his staff.
Section 4. Christopher A. Blackmon is hereby appointed forthwith, effective June 5, 2025, to fill the position of Sheriff for Osceola County, Florida, in accordance with Article IV, section 7, subsection (a) of the Florida Constitution for the duration of the suspension.
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