More than a dozen theme park workers, a sworn law enforcement deputy, and a youth sports coach have been arrested in a sweeping undercover sting in the US.The seven-day blitz across Central Florida — dubbed ‘Polk Around and Find Out II’ — targeted child sex predators and illicit sex trafficking networks, resulting in 281 arrests and 488 criminal charges, including 198 felonies.Obsessed with crime stories? Download our new app and never miss a headlinePolk County Sheriff Grady Judd revealed the confronting results at a press conference, warning parents about the dangers lurking online.“We had 17 theme park employees arrested,” Sheriff Judd told reporters. “And who led the way? Disney. Disney had 13, Universal had four.”According to detectives, seven of the 17 theme park workers were snared specifically as part of the child predator investigation.Sheriff Judd noted that the suspects worked in roles that placed them directly alongside visiting families.“These are people that were face-to-face with our children in the different disciplines inside these two organisations,” he relayed.“And you go, ‘Well, why do they work there?’ Well, that’s where the children are, and they want to be near children.”Investigators reported that one Disney employee arrived to meet who he believed was a 13-year-old boy, with his Disney uniform still inside his vehicle. Another suspect, identified as a former Disney character performer, was caught carrying backpacks stuffed with nappies.Sheriff Judd confirmed Disney co-operated with investigators and moved swiftly to terminate the staff involved. Authorities emphasised that none of the alleged criminal acts occurred inside the theme parks, nor were guests or children on resort grounds targeted.The operation also ensnared an active Orange County sheriff’s deputy, an active-duty US Navy sailor, and a youth football coach responsible for children aged 11 to 14, who allegedly travelled to meet a 14-year-old girl.Sheriff Judd also revealed that 32 of those arrested were undocumented migrants hailing from countries including Cuba, Peru, Italy, Venezuela, Mexico, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala, and Colombia. At least 16 have already been transferred into the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).Over the course of the week-long operation, police seized 24 illegal firearms and quantities of illicit drugs.Officers also identified 11 human trafficking victims, immediately offering them access to crisis support and community services.The investigation is ongoing.
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