OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Osceola County has a new sheriff after Marcos Lopez was arrested Thursday as part of an investigation involving illegal gambling and public corruption.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Lopez from office, in accordance with state law, and appointed Christopher A. Blackmon to take his place while the case against Lopez plays out.
Blackmon is the Central Florida regional chief for the Florida Highway Patrol, overseeing troopers in 13 counties across the Orlando and Tampa areas, from Volusia County to Pinellas County.
[Watch News 6’s 1-on-1 interview with Sheriff Christopher Blackmon]
Blackmon graduated from Vicennes University in Indiana with a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security. He joined the Florida Highway Patrol in 1990. The agency says Mothers Against Drunk Driving recognized his efforts in DUI enforcement in 1993.
Blackmon became a troop commander/major in 2017 and an FHP regional chief in 2023, according to his LinkedIn page.
Blackmon is also the FHP statewide immigration incident commander. Blackmon is 287(g)-certified, meaning he is able to detain undocumented immigrants. Blackmon said he is also one of the U.S. Marshals-deputized troopers announced by Gov. DeSantis last month.
Blackmon said he would see that Osceola County deputies get 287(g) certified as well.
“So if it’s an immigration enforcement initiative, we will be there,” Blackmon said.
Osceola County Manager Don Fisher issued the following statement on Blackmon’s appointment:
“The Sheriff is a separate constitutional officer, apart from the County or the County Commission, and it’s important to note that the County had no role in this investigation.
“However, the County and our Commission stand ready at the helm to support Interim Sheriff Christopher Blackmon and the courageous men and women of the Osceola Sheriff’s Department however we can during this period, as appropriate.
Don Fisher, County Manager
Blackmon told reporters he was informed of the appointment Thursday morning, describing the day as being like “drinking from a fire hose.”
“My main concern about Osceola County is crime, and reducing crime in Osceola County, and working with the employees here to see if we can do that,” Blackmon said.
In a recent interview with News 6, Blackmon said he was descended from Creek and Cherokee Native American tribes. He pointed out that the county was named after the Seminole Tribe leader Osceola, who was also part Creek.
“So to me, it’s cool to be part Native American and be in a county named after a fellow Creek Indian in Osceola,” Blackmon said.