Robin Lynn Severance Lopez, 50, the estranged wife of suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, stood before a Lake County judge Tuesday and learned that posting bond will come with tough conditions.
Bond and release terms
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Bond amount: $400,000
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Monitoring: Must wear a GPS ankle monitor if released
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Surrender items: Passport and all firearms within 24 hours
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No-contact order: Barred from speaking with, messaging, or using intermediaries to reach Marcos Lopez in any way.
The judge underscored the prohibition, warning that any attempt to coordinate stories or communicate about the case could violate her release.
Allegations against Robin Lopez
Statewide prosecutors say she acted as a facilitator in an illegal gambling enterprise they claim generated more than $21 million in illicit proceeds. Investigators allege she moved large sums of cash between co-conspirators and was arrested with transaction receipts in her possession.
Defense argument
Her attorney countered that the couple has been separated since 2019, divorce proceedings began in 2023, and there is “no evidence” she profited from the scheme. The court remained unconvinced, setting bond at a level prosecutors requested after calling the Lopezes “co-conspirators, not spouses.”
Wider investigation
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Co-defendants: Five others—Carol Cote, Sharon Fredrick, Sheldon Wetherholt, Ying Zhang and Marcos Lopez—face racketeering counts; all but Zhang (still at large) have been arrested.
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Suspended sheriff: Marcos Lopez has been jailed on a $1 million bond since June 5 on charges of racketeering and conspiracy; Gov. Ron DeSantis removed him from office the same day and appointed Florida Highway Patrol Chief Christopher Blackmon as interim sheriff.
What’s next
Robin Lopez’s next court appearance is set for July 21 at the Lake County Courthouse. Positively Osceola will continue to follow developments and provide updates on this high-profile case affecting our community.
