A third suspect, 58-year-old Sheldon Wetherholt, has been arrested in connection with racketeering and conspiracy charges related to an alleged illegal gambling operation involving Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez. Wetherholt appeared in court Wednesday morning. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Lopez was arrested last week for operating illegal gambling businesses.
Wetherholt told the judge that he takes care of his two disabled sons. “Both of my sons, they are adults, they are bipolar and paranoid schizophrenic and I do take care of both of them,” Wetherholt said. Wetherholt added that his sons are in their 30’s and both collect disability and he is their only form of transportation to and from their doctor appointments. The judge set restrictions on Wetherholt including a $100,000 bond, he will be fitted with a GPS monitor and he must turn over any firearms in his possession.
Sheriff Marcos Lopez remains in jail on a $1 million bond. The court stated it wants to ensure that any money used for bond was not obtained through the alleged criminal activity. Prosecutors say the gambling scandal was a $21 million operation.
Lopez has been suspended by Governor DeSantis and replaced with interim Sheriff Christopher Blackmon. Lopez is scheduled to be arraigned on June 30.
Read Governor DeSantis Suspends Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, Appoints FHP Chief Christopher Blackmon as Replacement
