Suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez and his wife, Robin Severance Lopez, are scheduled to stand trial the week of October 20 on charges stemming from what authorities allege was a $21-million illegal gambling operation.
The couple, along with several co-defendants, is expected back in court on October 9 for pretrial conferences before Judge Brian Welke of the 5th Circuit Court. Attorneys for the Lopezes and three other defendants — Carol Cote, Sharon Fedrick, and Sheldon Wetherholt — met with the judge on Tuesday for a plea negotiation conference. All four have been released on bond.
One additional defendant, Ying “Kate” Zhang, also accused of participating in the gambling scheme, has not yet been taken into custody.
Defense attorneys in the case say they are still in the discovery phase, reviewing evidence from prosecutors and preparing their own arguments. Orlando-based attorney Jonathan Rose, not involved in the case, noted that depositions will be one of the next significant steps.
According to the Florida Attorney General’s Office, the investigation into Marcos Lopez began in 2023 and was led by Homeland Security with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Attorney General James Uthmeier said the probe uncovered a criminal organization running an illegal gambling enterprise across Central Florida, particularly in Lake and Osceola counties, that generated more than $21.6 million in illicit proceeds. Prosecutors allege Marcos and Robin Lopez were co-conspirators who both benefited from the operation.
