Florida child sting operation ensnares 17 theme park workers in 281-arrest probe
Arrests and charges reported
Authorities said the operation resulted in 281 arrests and a total of 488 charges. The charges include 198 felonies, while the people arrested had 798 prior criminal charges combined.
Theme park employees identified
Seventeen of those arrested were employed at Florida theme parks, according to the sheriff’s office as reported by WWSB. The employers included Disney and Universal. Disney told investigators it had dismissed employees linked to the arrests, according to the report.
Where those arrested came from
Forty people arrested lived in Polk County, authorities said. The others came from elsewhere in Florida, 20 other states and 18 countries. Authorities said 32 people were in the United States illegally, including individuals from Cuba, Venezuela, Mexico and Haiti. Sixteen were transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Key points
- Authorities reported 281 arrests and 488 charges, including 198 felonies.
- Seventeen people arrested worked at Florida theme parks, including Disney and Universal.
- Those arrested came from Florida, 20 other states and 18 countries.
- Sixteen people were transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.