KISSIMMEE, Fla. — A sheriff in central Florida was arrested Thursday on charges of racketeering and conspiracy as part of what state authorities described as a probe into a massive gambling operation.

Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested on first-degree felonies and taken to the jail in nearby Lake County, Florida. Osceola County is south of Orlando, and part of the county is home to Walt Disney World.

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Lopez took campaign contributions and personal payments as well as protected the gambling operation, according to a statement put out by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.

The organization generated more than $21.6 million in illicit proceeds.

Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Lopez in an executive order and appointed a Florida Highway Patrol official to b

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