A Walt Disney World security guard and janitor at SeaWorld's Discovery Cove were among 18 men arrested in a sex sting dubbed "Operation April's Fools," Polk County, Florida, Sheriff Grady Judd said.
The people who were arrested responded to online ads from undercover detectives posing as children or custodians of children.
“Child predators are dangerous and out of control. They prowl the internet for your children -- children as young as 10 years old -- to teach them how to have sex," Judd said. "They arrive with candy and condoms and they leave in handcuffs and a one-way ride to the Polk County Jail.”
Several state and central Florida law enforcement agencies were exposed in the sting, that took place from March 29th to April 4th.
Through the detailed investigation, it was found that, since 2006, 35 Disney employees, along with 2 SeaWorld and 5 Universal employees had been arrested for sex crimes involving children, trying to meet a minor for sex or for possession of child pornography.
All the alleged crimes took place outside the theme parks, except for 2 cases involving possession of child pornography on Disney property. Children or teenagers visiting parks were away from these cases.
"Despite our many child predator stings and CNN national investigative reports, there are two theme park employees -- one of which was a security guard and a volunteer football coach at a Christian school, who were among the 18 caught in our most recent sting," Judd said.
Jeffrey Erich Binder, 26, of Winter Garden, Florida, who works as a security guard at Walt Disney World, is one of them who were arrested. A Polk County Sheriff's news release said he "arrived at the undercover location to have sexual intercourse with who he believed was a 14-year-old girl."
"While chatting online and texting, Binder told the undercover detective he wanted to do 'everything' sexual with her. He purchased and brought condoms to the undercover location," the news release said. According to the sheriff's office, he had his Disney security guard uniform in his car, when he was arrested.
Disney World spokesperson Jacquee Wahler said Binder "has been placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the charges" and did not address a question about his prior arrest. As per the court records, he was granted a pretrial release and the plea has not yet been entered.
19-year-old Arthur Joseph Nelson, of Orlando, a janitor at SeaWorld Orlando's Discovery Cove theme park, was also caught in the sting.
As per the news release, Nelson showed up at the undercover location to have sex with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl.
"He sent her pictures of his genitals, and he bought condoms on the way to the undercover location," the release said. "After his arrest, Nelson told detectives he knew the girl was 14 years old, he stopped at WalMart to buy condoms, he chatted with underage girls but this was the first time he has 'done something like this' and he was 'high' and 'horny' and thought it seemed like a good idea," the release said.
Nelson was charged with use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony, use of a computer to seduce a child, traveling to meet a minor, attempted lewd battery, transmission of harmful materials to a minor and possession of paraphernalia. As per the court records, he was granted a pretrial release and a plea has not been entered.
Becca Bides, SeaWorld corporate communications director, said, "There is no greater responsibility than protecting the safety of our guests and ambassadors, and we have extensive measures in place including pre-employment criminal background checks and ongoing proactive security measures within our parks. We have zero tolerance for potential safety threats and have taken swift and appropriate action in this case."
Bides later said that, Nelson has been fired.
Along with the above, a hospital technician, computer program director, car dealership manager, airline customer service manager and a former Polk County firefighter, were also arrested in the sting.
By Phani Ch
