Marcos Lopez’s wife remains in jail on $400K bond, faces racketeering charges

Prosecutors allege she helped move and receive illicit funds as part of a criminal enterprise that generated more than $21 million.

“She served the enterprise primarily through her partnership with Marcos Lopez,” Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Colleen Monroe told the judge. “She helped facilitate the movement of illicit money and receipt of illicit payments from other co-conspirators to Lopez, which is believed to be at least $600,000 to $700,000.”

Monroe said investigators have obtained text messages, emails, bank records and witness testimony. One photo, shown in court, appears to depict Severance Lopez with several alleged co-conspirators at a holiday party, contradicting her previous claims that she didn’t know them.

Prosecutors also raised concerns over her finances. According to the state, Severance Lopez was found with two bank receipts at the time of her arrest, one showing a deposit of $117,000 on June 11 and another of $60,000 on June 13. Both transactions occurred about one week after Marcos Lopez was arrested on similar charges.

In another claim revealed during Tuesday’s hearing, prosecutors said Severance Lopez offered up a property as collateral in an attempt to help her husband post bond.

“While they filed for divorce in 2023, they do not operate as a married couple,” Monroe said. “I would suggest to this court that the stronger relationship between them is that of co-conspirators.”

A social media video posted by HSI Tampa showed agents taking Severance Lopez into custody. Her next court date is July 21.

[See News 6 reporting on Marcos Lopez arrest in gambling case]

If released, Severance Lopez will be required to wear a GPS monitor, surrender any passports and firearms, and have no contact with Marcos Lopez. She must also prove the source of any funds used for bond.

Although Severance Lopez has reportedly been unemployed for much of the last several years, she’s held a job for the past two. Prosecutors say she currently holds $123,000 in a bank account.

Marcos Lopez remains jailed in Lake County after being arrested on June 5 on accusations of being part of a criminal gambling operation.

A judge set his bond at $1 million, but Marcos Lopez can’t pay it without proving the money does not come from criminal activity.

[Video shows former Sheriff Marcos Lopez remains jailed on $1M bond]

The sheriff, suspended by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shortly after his arrest, is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal cash payments as part of what prosecutors are calling an organized criminal enterprise.

DeSantis said he suspended Lopez in accordance with state law. The governor appointed Christopher A. Blackmon to take Lopez’s place while the case against him plays out.

The charges against former Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez include racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering, all in relation to a multimillion-dollar illegal gambling operation.

According to public records, Marcos Lopez and his wife filed for divorce in 2023 and have a 15-year-old together.

[News 6 video explains how newly released documents reveal more details about case against former Sheriff Marcos Lopez]