Osceola County Sheriff Gambling Case: Associate Arrested as Trial Nears

New developments have surfaced in the illegal gambling case involving suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez, as a co-conspirator has been arrested on money laundering charges.

Associate Charged With Money Laundering

According to News 6, Krishna Deokaran, 50, was booked into the Lake County Jail on October 6 and released the same day after posting a $20,000 bond.

He has pleaded not guilty to a third-degree felony money-laundering charge, which carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison.

Investigators describe Deokaran as playing a leading role in the $21 million illegal operations, owning arcades across Lake, Sumter, and Osceola counties. According to the 255-page arrest affidavit, Deokaran allegedly told investigators he paid Lopez between $600,000 and $700,000 for his alleged involvement in the operation.

Prosecutors have not yet released further details on Deokaran’s alleged crimes.

Lopez Waives Right to Speedy Trial

The new arrest comes as the case against Lopez himself edges closer to trial. In the latest developments, the suspended sheriff recently waived his right to a speedy trial. The court scheduled a trial date for November 10, though it could be delayed further.

In a motion, Lopez’s legal team cites ongoing evidence production. That includes cell-phone downloads and one year’s worth of surveillance footage from the Eclipse Social Club in Kissimmee.

The defense also wants to change the venue from Lake to Osceola County. The state filed a 22-page motion opposing the change of venue, arguing the case should remain in Lake County.

Previously, Lopez’s legal team had requested that the court dismiss the case. It claimed the alleged criminal activity was not illegal in Lake County at the time. That’s because the Lake County Commission had approved an ordinance that laid out the permitting process for “Electronic Game Room Facilities.”

The defense team argued that Deokaran had obtained the necessary permits to operate the arcades.

Rearrest of Lopez’s Ex-Wife

The news of Deokaran’s arrest came days after authorities rearrested Lopez’s estranged wife, Robin Severance Lopez, on an out-of-county warrant.

Prosecutors allege that she provided false or misleading information in her earlier $400,000 bond application in connection with the same illegal gambling enterprise. The warrant refers to her profiting from her husband’s alleged role in the illegal gambling network. She faces a conspiracy-to-racketeering charge.

Lopez’s lawyer, Michelle Yard, told news outlets that she doesn’t believe her client provided any false information. She said she has not yet received the probable cause affidavit from prosecutors.

Co-Defendants Take Plea Deals

While Marcos Lopez, his estranged wife, and Deokaran still face charges, three co-defendants have already accepted plea deals and are reportedly cooperating with prosecutors.

First, Carol Cote, the enterprise’s alleged bookkeeper, took a plea deal for a reduced sentence. Allegedly, she preserved six years’ worth of financial statements and spreadsheets despite Deokaran’s request to destroy them.

Sharon Fedrick and Sheldon Wetherholt also entered plea deals. Frederick allegedly managed the organization, while Wetherhold helped secure sites and leases for the arcades.