the Continuous condition Related Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez The illegal gambling ring he was allegedly involved in received two new guilty pleas. After weeks of court cases and investigationAnd Sheldon Weatherholt and Sharon Fedrick, both plead guilty The plea agreements were signed in Lake County Circuit Court.
Fedrick pleaded guilty to paying bills related to the gambling ring, and Weatherholt was found guilty of his crimes, facing a maximum of 364 days in jail under the plea deal. As with others who endured this ordeal, he pleaded no contest to charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering.
Wetherholt’s role within the gambling ring was to secure property leases and keep up with utility services for the associated casinos. It is suspected that one of the Eclipse casinos was under Lopez’s protection.
However, because he entered into a plea deal, he will not face the maximum sentence of 30 years for each count. Instead, he will likely serve a maximum of 12 months in county jail. Fedrick’s case is a bit more severe, with a penalty of up to 60 months in prison for her crimes.
Third member of Lopez gambling ring pleads guilty
Another member of the operation, Carol Coote, appeared in court last week, where she also pleaded guilty. It is recommended that she be given the three to twelve month sentence given against Weatherholt. Cote could be a key player in Lopez’s supposed downfall in court, as part of the deal was a promise to testify.
HAPPENING NOW: Another suspended Osceola defendant, Sheriff Marcos Lopez, has agreed to plead guilty to racketeering charges. Sheldon Weatherholt joins Carol Cote in pleading guilty. More tonight at 4 @news6wkmg pic.twitter.com/jlKgdcWhLS
– Mike Valente (ValenteReports) October 13, 2025
It’s not looking positive for the ex-cop, as there are now not only three guilty pleas, but also a 255-page affidavit filled with records about the operation. This document contains further information from one of the central individuals in the criminal enterprise, Krishna Deokaran. Released last month to those concerned, it also contains financial records, interviews and letters.
Lopez has so far pleaded not guilty during his court appearance, and his trial is expected to take place next November.
Featured Image: Lake County Sheriff’s Office
this post Three pleaded guilty in court in the case of Sheriff Lopez’s illegal gambling ring appeared first on Read and write.
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