Fort Walton Beach man accused of recording woman in her bedroom since February
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (WKRG) — A Fort Walton Beach man is accused of leaving a camera in a woman's bedroom since February.
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According to a news release from the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, Jason Lee Carpenter, 30, was arrested. He is accused of video voyeurism and burglary.
OCSO officials said a victim reported she was cleaning the ceiling and wall vents in her home on April 11 when she saw a glare in the air vent. She stood on a small table and spotted a small camera, took it down and turned it off.
Investigators conducted a forensic download of the camera's SD card, which revealed the camera had been recording in her bedroom since Feb. 17, 2025. This included times when she was undressed, according to OCSO.
Investigators said the video clearly shows Carpenter setting up the camera and adjusting it. They identified him as his face was revealed and a tattoo on his left forearm, the release said.
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The OCSO release also said the victim installed a Ring doorbell camera, which spotted Carpenter on April 25 approaching the home and then leaving when he spotted the camera.
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A Florida sheriff is arrested in a racketeering investigation. Who is Marcos Lopez?
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He served for 22 years on active duty and the reserves, working as a linguist and training in explosive ordinances, counterterrorism, and supervising logistical operations. He supported operation Iraqi freedom, Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom as a law enforcement specialist attached to the Centcom Logistical Support Group Forward, he told He received a degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement in 2003 from Valencia College, according to his LinkedIn account, and joined the sheriff's office the same year. For more than 16 years, Lopez also served as a firearms and defensive tactics instructor while working as an investigator. Since 2019, he has also operated Lo-Jeng Tech, a security consultant business that trains small businesses, churches and nonprofits on how to handle active shooters, cybersecurity and other security matters. After failing to win election in 2016, Lopez was first elected as sheriff in 2020, defeating Luiz "Tony" Fernandez to became the first Hispanic sheriff in the Osceola County and Florida. Lopez was re-elected in 2024, defending his position from Republican challenger Donnie Martinez. During his terms, Lopez started the Real Time Crime Center and added specialty units to the OCSO, including the Tactical Anti-Crime Unit, Osceola County Narcotics Bureau, and a fugitive extradition program with Puerto Rico, according to his bio. He also launched anti-bullying initiatives and the all-female police academy Woman on Watch. Why was a Florida sheriff arrested? What we know about Marcos Lopez, alleged gambling scheme Lopez and the OCSO have been in the spotlight several times in recent years. In December 2024, Lopez pleaded no contest to a civil infraction and agreed to pay a $250 fine for posting a photo of a dead body on his personal Instagram page, FOX 35 Orlando and WFTV reported. The image was of 13-year-old Madeline Soto, who disappeared in February 2024 from her home in Kissimmee. Her body was found days later, and the boyfriend of the girl's mother was charged with her death. After Lopez claimed, on the air, in an interview on a radio station that he didn't post the picture — even though the OCSO had already apologized for it — he was placed on the Brady List, a state list of the local law enforcement officers who may not be suitable as witnesses in criminal cases due to past actions, WFTV reported. As of June 6, Lopez is still listed on the Brady List as having made false statements. Lopez, a Democrat, has claimed the move was politically based. In June 2024, Lopez was accused of making lewd comments about a nude photo of a young female civilian employee in 2022, according to WFTV. Former deputy Samantha Sanchez found the picture on the phone of her then-boyfriend, former deputy Alex Valentin, along with text messages reportedly of Valentin and Lopez exchanging such photos and commenting on them. Sanchez said she took a screenshot of the alleged conversation and later reported it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement when she was fired in what she said was retaliatory action after she told a female deputy about the conversation. Lopez has denied the accusations and the FDLE declined to investigate after the civilian employee failed to press charges, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Lopez and the OCSO were sued in January on behalf of a motorcyclist who was burned on more than 75% of his body after Osceola County deputies fired a Taser at him while he was filling up his motorcycle, WFTV reported. Lopez and the sheriff's office also came under scrutiny in 2022 after a 20-year-old was shot and killed by deputies, according to local television station WESH. 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The Brief Gambling in Florida is highly regulated, with only specific forms allowed, such as pari-mutuel wagering, tribal casino games, the Florida Lottery, and penny-ante games under strict conditions. Illegal activities include unlicensed slot machines, online gambling, unauthorized lotteries, and operating unlawful gambling houses, all prohibited under Chapter 849 of the Florida Statutes. Penalties vary by offense and can result in misdemeanor or felony charges, fines, or jail time. ORLANDO, Fla. - Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested Thursday on racketeering and conspiracy charges tied to an illegal gambling operation that generated over $21 million across Central Florida. Gambling is largely restricted in Florida due to the state's constitutional and legislative framework. According to the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the following forms of gambling are legal in the state: Pari-mutuel wagering on live and intertrack horse and jai-alai activities at licensed racetracks and jai-alai frontons. Casino gambling, including slots and table games, on certain Indian tribal lands. The Florida lottery games. Poker and Dominoes played for money, but only in a licensed cardrooms Penny-ante games including poker, pinochle, bridge, rummy, canasta, hearts, dominoes, and mah-jongg may be played outside a cardroom only if the winnings of any player in a single game do not exceed $10 in value. Slot machine gaming at one of the eight licensed pari-mutuel facilities located in Miami-Dade or Broward Counties. Bingo, sweepstakes, and drawings for chance, if they comply with state law. Under Chapter 849 of the Florida Statutes, the following activities are prohibited: Unlicensed Slot Machines: Operating or possessing slot machines outside of authorized facilities, such as tribal casinos or licensed pari-mutuel venues in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, is illegal. Unregulated Sports Betting: Engaging in sports betting, including bookmaking or wagering on athletic events, is prohibited unless conducted through authorized channels. Unauthorized Lotteries and Raffles: Conducting lotteries or raffles without proper authorization is illegal. Illegal Gambling Houses: Operating or maintaining a place for gambling activities without a license is a criminal offense. Unlicensed Poker Games: Hosting poker games that involve a rake or house fee without proper licensing is unlawful. Online Gambling: Participating in online casino games or poker through unlicensed platforms is prohibited. Sweepstakes Parlors: Operating establishments that mimic casino games under the guise of sweepstakes promotions is illegal. Illegal Bingo Operations: Conducting bingo games outside the scope of authorized charitable or nonprofit organizations is against the law. RELATED ARTICLE: Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez arrested on racketeering charges, officials say The Florida Gaming Control Commission has a map on their website where all legal Florida gaming facilities are listed. LINK: Locations In Florida, penalties for illegal gambling depend on the specific offense and the details of the case. Under Chapter 849 of the Florida Statutes, violations can range from misdemeanors to felonies and may result in significant fines, civil penalties, or imprisonment. For detailed information, consult Chapter 849 of the Florida Statutes, and consider speaking with an attorney for advice tailored to your situation. What we know A multi-agency investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and joined by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) was launched in 2023. Officials say the investigation uncovered a criminal organization operating an illegal gambling enterprise throughout Central Florida, particularly in Lake and Osceola counties. Officials say the organization generated more than $21.6 million in illicit proceeds. Following Lopez's election as Osceola County Sheriff in November 2020, investigators say he continued to advance the interests of the criminal organization and collected a portion of the illegal gambling proceeds for his involvement. RELATED ARTICLE: Who is Marcos Lopez, Osceola County Sheriff arrested on racketeering charges? What's next Lopez is being charged with racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering, according to officials with the Federal Department of Justice (FDOJ) and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. Senior Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Colleen Monroe and Panagiota Papakos will prosecute the defendants in Florida's Fifth Judicial Circuit. Lopez is currently being held in the Lake County Jail. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information gathered from the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office website and shared by the Federal Department of Justice (FDOJ), Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
