Home » Robin Severance Lopez Charged in Osceola Sheriff Racketeering Case

Robin Severance Lopez Charged in Osceola Sheriff Racketeering Case

Wife of Suspended Sheriff Faces Felony Conspiracy Charge in Florida

by Amelia Crawford

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Robin Severance Lopez, wife of suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to use investment proceeds from racketeering, a second-degree felony under Florida law. She was booked without bond into Lake County Jail.

The charge alleges Mrs. Lopez knowingly reinvested funds originating from illegal activities, part of a larger investigation into a Central Florida illegal gambling operation. Orlando criminal defense attorney Jose Rivas explained the charge involves using criminal proceeds to make further investments, though specific reinvestment details remain unclear.

Robin Lopez’s arrest follows her husband Marcos Lopez’s detention on June 5. The suspended sheriff remains jailed, unable to post his $1 million bond. Bail bond expert Freddie Belton noted that securing such a bond typically requires 10% cash plus collateral, which can be challenging for many defendants.

Mrs. Lopez is the sixth co-defendant in the state’s racketeering case, which alleges the illegal gambling ring generated more than $21 million in illicit profits. Other co-defendants include Carole Cote, Sharon Fedrick, Sheldon Wetherholt, and Ying Zhang, who is still at large, believed to be outside the country.

The investigation revealed the Eclipse Social Club in Kissimmee, an illegal gambling house with slot machines, was operated by Marcos Lopez and his associates. Court documents show repeated law enforcement visits to the club.

At Marcos Lopez’s first court appearance, prosecutors said he received between $600,000 and $700,000 in cash from the illegal enterprise since 2020. A judge ordered him to prove all bond money comes from legitimate sources before release.

Robin and Marcos Lopez married in March 2007. Robin Lopez is expected to make her first court appearance Tuesday morning, while Marcos Lopez approaches three weeks in custody.

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