Marcos Lopez arrested: What happens if he's fired as Osceola County Sheriff?
Sheriff Marcos Lopez arrested: FOX 35 team coverage
FOX 35 is learning more after the Thursday morning arrest of now former Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez. FOX 35 reporters Marie Edinger, Manny Martinez and Stephanie Buffamonte have the latest on the case.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Despite the suspension of Sheriff Marcos Lopez, no special election will be held unless he is formally removed from office, according to the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections office.
A spokesperson for the office said Thursday that because Lopez has only been suspended and not removed, no immediate changes are required.
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez was arrested on charges related to racketeering on Thursday morning, according to officials.
What would happen if Lopez was officially removed as sheriff?
What they're saying:
According to the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections office, if Lopez is officially removed from his position, it would trigger a special election that would coincide with the regularly scheduled primary and general elections in August and November 2026.
The winner of that special election would serve the remainder of Lopez’s term and would be eligible to run again in 2028.
Lopez was suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis following his arrest on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
RELATED ARTICLE: Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez arrested on racketeering charges, officials say
Why was Sheriff Marcos Lopez arrested?
What we know:
A multi-agency investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and joined by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) was launched in 2023.
Officials say the investigation uncovered a criminal organization operating an illegal gambling enterprise throughout Central Florida, particularly in Lake and Osceola counties. Officials say the organization generated more than $21.6 million in illicit proceeds.
Following Lopez's election as Osceola County Sheriff in November 2020, investigators say he continued to advance the interests of the criminal organization and collected a portion of the illegal gambling proceeds for his involvement.
Could the arrest of Sheriff Lopez impact current cases?
Could the arrest of Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez impact current cases? FOX 35's Marlisa Goldsmith speaks with a former judge.
RELATED ARTICLE: Who is Marcos Lopez, Osceola County Sheriff arrested on racketeering charges?
What's next:
Lopez is being charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering, according to officials with the Federal Department of Justice (FDOJ) and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Colleen Monroe and Panagiota Papakos will prosecute the defendants in Florida's Fifth Judicial Circuit.
Lopez is currently being held in the Lake County Jail.
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez was arrested on charges related to racketeering on Thursday morning, according to officials.
RELATED ARTICLE: Christopher Blackmon appointed sheriff of Osceola County after Marcos Lopez's arrest: Who is he?
New interim sheriff appointed
What we know:
Christopher A. Blackmon has been appointed to Lopez's position, effective immediately.
Interim Osceola Co. Sheriff talks to FOX 35
Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon, who was appointed to the position by Gov. Ron DeSantis, following the arrest of former sheriff Marcos Lopez, said one of his most immediate goals is to ensure the agency's deputies and staff -- and the community -- that there is no systemic issue at OCSO. He spoke with FOX 35's Stephanie Buffamonte on Thursday evening. " This is a problem that occurred with the sheriff, and he has to answer for his charges."
Blackmon is the chief of the Florida Highway Patrol for the Central Florida region. He has worked in law enforcement for 35 years and oversees more than 850 troopers and 95 civilian employees.
He also leads immigration-related operations across all 67 counties in Florida.
Photo of Christopher Blackmon (Credit: FHP Orlando)
In his free time, he volunteers with groups like the Special Olympics, Clermont Little League, and Make-a-Wish. He has a college degree in Homeland Security from Vincennes University.
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The Source: This story was written based on information gathered from the Osceola County Supervisor of Elections office, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office website and shared by the Federal Department of Justice (FDOJ), Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.