Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was suspended from office Thursday after being charged with racketeering, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in an executive order.

While Lopez will face his charges in the 5th Judicial Circuit —which covers Lake County and neighbors the 9th Circuit that covers Osceola — his case has yet to appear in court records. Christopher Blackmon, the Florida Highway Patrol’s central region chief, has been appointed to replace him, DeSantis’ order stated.

The governor’s order is the first official confirmation of Lopez’s charges, which further include conspiracy to commit racketeering. The circumstances surrounding the accusations — as well as when he will appear before a judge — are unclear.

The case is being handled by the Office of Statewide Prosecution, a spokesper

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