17 theme park employees among 281 arrested in Florida sting, sheriff says
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said 13 were Disney employees and four were Universal employees among those arrested during a law enforcement sting.
In a joint sting operation targeting human trafficking and child sexual predators, 17 employees from Disney World and Universal Studios were among the 281 suspects arrested in Polk County, Florida, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Grady Judd detailed the operation, which spanned seven days, aimed at apprehending predators who engage in unlawful sexual activity with children and human trafficking.
The sheriff reported that 31 of the suspects traveled to the county specifically to have sex with a child. Thirteen of the arrested individuals were Disney employees, and four were from Universal Studios.
Sheriff Judd emphasized the disturbing nature of the suspects, describing them as "nasty child predators" eager to have sex with children. He highlighted that 32 of the suspects were undocumented immigrants, of which 16 had been transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Additionally, 24 of the suspects brought firearms to the meetings, and nine were on probation.
The sheriff provided examples of some of the arrested individuals. One suspect was the head coach of the Florida team, Davenport Titans, coaching children aged 11 to 14. He believed he was meeting a 14-year-old girl. Another suspect was on active Navy duty, while a former Disney employee, who worked as a Mickey Mouse character, was arrested with two backpacks filled with diapers. Another suspect was dressed in a Disney uniform, attempting to meet an undercover detective posing as a 13-year-old boy.
The sheriff noted that Disney cooperated with law enforcement, leading to the firing of all the employees involved.
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