Ex-Sheriff’s Associates Enter Pleas in Extensive Multi-County Gambling Investigation

Two More Co-Defendants Take Plea Deals in Illegal Gambling Probe

The legal troubles surrounding suspended Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez intensified as two additional co-defendants agreed to plea bargains in connection with a large-scale illegal gambling investigation tied to his administration.

Plea Agreements Could Lead to Testimony Against Former Sheriff

On Monday, in a Lake County courtroom, Sheldon Wetherholt entered a no-contest plea to racketeering and conspiracy charges. Meanwhile, Sharon Fedrick pleaded guilty to the same counts. Their decisions came shortly after Carol Cote, who maintained the organization’s financial records, pleaded guilty and committed to cooperating with law enforcement.

Under Wetherholt’s plea deal, prosecutors are recommending a jail sentence ranging from three to twelve months at the county level, although the final decision rests with the judge. Fedrick faces a harsher potential outcome, with state prosecutors seeking three to five years of imprisonment. Both charges carry a maximum sentence of up to 30 years, according to reports.

Cote, who pleaded guilty earlier in October, may be sentenced to up to one year in county jail if she continues to assist state investigators. She played a critical role in managing and preserving detailed financial documents that were later handed over to authorities despite instructions to destroy them.

Co-Defendants’ Statements May Be Crucial in Racketeering Trial

According to court documents, the gambling ring operated under various business fronts across several counties including Sumter, Marion, Lake, and Osceola. Prosecutors allege that Lopez, then a deputy sheriff campaigning for the top office, connected business owner Krishna Deokaran and others to establish gaming venues featuring illegal slot-style machines and “fish tables,” which are prohibited gambling devices in Florida.

After securing the sheriff’s position, Lopez allegedly used his authority to shield these illegal casinos from law enforcement interventions. The operation was notably active at a Kissimmee location known as The Eclipse, which reportedly generated significant revenue under Lopez’s protection.

Wetherholt, who incorporated multiple companies tied to the scheme, told investigators earlier in the year that he had no direct relationship with Lopez and believed he was merely processing paperwork. However, prosecutors argue that his involvement was vital in setting up leases and utility services that kept the establishments operational.

The arrests followed a coordinated raid in June conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations, which dismantled what officials called a multimillion-dollar gambling enterprise. Lopez was apprehended on the day of the raid while still in uniform.

Lopez, along with his estranged wife Robin Severance-Lopez and Fedrick, have all pleaded not guilty to the charges of racketeering and conspiracy. Lopez’s trial is scheduled for October 20 but may be postponed as his defense seeks to relocate the proceedings from Lake County to Osceola County.

As additional plea arrangements emerge, prosecutors are relying heavily on testimony from cooperating defendants. Legal analysts suggest that these agreements could prove instrumental in establishing the state’s case against the former sheriff.