Florida trafficking sting: 17 Disney, Universal employees among 281 arrested, sheriff says

Seven-day operation in Polk County

The joint enforcement effort focused on people who target children and travel to meet them for unlawful sexual activity, as well as human trafficking, Judd said at a Friday press conference. The sheriff’s office announced 281 arrests.

Firearms and immigration transfers

Judd said 32 suspects were undocumented immigrants, and 16 had so far been transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He also reported that 24 suspects brought firearms to the meetings.

Nine of those arrested were on probation, according to the sheriff. In a statement, Judd said the operation was conducted because officers encounter people eager to sexually abuse children.

Examples described by sheriff

Among the suspects was the head coach of the Davenport Titans, a Florida team for children ages 11 to 14, Judd said. The coach believed he was traveling to meet a 14-year-old girl, according to the sheriff; another suspect was serving on active Navy duty.

Judd also described a former Disney employee who had worked as a Mickey Mouse character. He said officers found the man with two backpacks of diapers and that the suspect had a diaper fetish.

Another Disney employee was arrested while allegedly going to meet an undercover detective posing as a 13-year-old boy. The employee had his uniform in the car, Judd said.

Disney response

Judd said Disney cooperated with law enforcement during the operation. He told reporters the company had since fired all of the employees involved.