11 Arrested in Polk Child Porn Sting Including Disney, Legoland Employees

A Disney World employee, a Lego builder for Legoland, and a teenager were among 11 people arrested Monday as part of a Polk County Sheriff’s Office undercover child pornography sting.

Each faces multiple charges of child pornography possession following the investigation by the Sheriff’s Office’s computer crime unit, dubbed “Guardians of Innocence II.”

In all, the 11 men face 660 combined felony charges.

A 53-year-old Davenport man was arrested on 24 counts of child possession and two counts of promotion of sexual performance by a child. According to police, he was employed by Disney World as a project manager for the costume department and had allegedly been viewing child pornography for a year. During the initial investigation, deputies claim they found files that depicted child pornography with victims as young as 3 years old.

A 30-year-old Davenport man works as a Lego builder for Legoland, deputies said. Detectives claim they found files depicting child pornography with victims as young as 3 to 5 years old. He allegedly told officers he solicited the photos from underage girls — the youngest being 11 — online by tricking them into thinking he was 18. The man faces 10 counts of child pornography.

After a tip that child pornography was being downloaded by a computer at a Lake Alfred address, deputies arrested a 69-year-old retired teacher from Arizona. He was charged with 16 counts of child pornography and three counts of the promotion of child pornography.

Also arrested was a 16-year-old high school boy. The warrant came after the Sheriff’s Office received a tip about the files being downloaded to Dropbox. After checking the teen’s phone, deputies said they found pictures with victims as young as 12-24 months old.

Child pornography cases, while similar, are all unique and sensitive in nature. These cases require a lawyer with experience in defending these cases. Our Florida Chid Pornography Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton have insight into computer forensic issues, we know how the government investigates and prosecutes these cases, as well as the mistakes they make, and the evolving laws that pertain to these offenses. We have the knowledge needed to fight aggressively to achieve the best possible outcome.

We specialize in representing individuals who have been charged with various types of sex crimes charges, including:

• Possession of child pornography
• Distribution/transmission of child porn
• Internet solicitation/computer sting operations
• Child exploitation

Working with an experienced sex crimes defense lawyer is your only chance at gaining a successful outcome. You should not trust just anyone. Let us help you today. Call us at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation.