Two years before he became Osceola County sheriff, Marcos Lopez joined the gambling business, a venture that started when he introduced a veteran of illegal casinos to a Chinese-born realtor with money to invest, according to a newly released affidavit.

That deal netted him thousands of dollars, but in September 2019, he had to reassure the woman from China there was no danger of being caught, the record shows.

“Kate, nothing to worry. No matter what the outcome is, when I win we start the first internet amusement cafe in Osceola County,” Lopez wrote in a text message. “You will be safe and not have to worry about anything because I will be your sheriff.”

Lopez, who police say was by then involved in illegal gambling rooms in Marion and Sumter counties, would go on to win the sheriff’s

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