Two of Central Florida's biggest entertainment destinations have become connected to a sweeping criminal investigation, and the details are raising difficult questions about the people employed at family-focused theme parks.
A seven-day undercover operation led by the Polk County Sheriff's Office resulted in 281 arrests, including 17 suspects who told investigators they worked at local theme parks or resorts associated with Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. Seven of those workers were among the suspects accused of offenses involving children, according to authorities.
The October 30 announcement puts an uncomfortable spotlight on the industry's employee screening practices, particularly as investigators identified alleged offenders working in positions associated with family entertainment.
Disney World and Universal Workers Caught in 281-Arrest Florida Operation
The investigation, officially named Operation Polk Around and Find Out II, brought together local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate alleged child sexual predators, prostitution-related offenses, and human trafficking.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office announcement, investigators reported 239 arrests involving prostitution-related allegations, 31 involving suspected child sexual predators, and 11 other arrests.
The operation produced 198 felony charges and 290 misdemeanor charges. Investigators also identified 11 people as victims of human trafficking during the enforcement effort.
Among the people arrested were individuals who identified themselves as Disney World or Universal employees, creating an unsettling association between the investigation and the region's most recognizable family vacation destinations.
The reported employment connections do not establish that the alleged offenses occurred at either resort or involved visiting families.
Seven Theme Park Workers Accused in Child Predator Investigation
Perhaps the most serious revelation was the sheriff's confirmation that seven suspects who reported working at local theme parks or resorts were among those arrested on child-predator allegations.
The sheriff's published account identifies several individuals who described Disney-related employment.
Adam Snyder allegedly communicated with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old boy before traveling to an arranged meeting location. Investigators said Snyder reported working in Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and that officers discovered part of a Disney uniform and an employee badge inside his vehicle.
Another suspect, Brandon Quispe, reportedly told detectives he worked in Disney World's human resources department. Authorities accused him of communicating with an undercover investigator posing as the guardian of a 13-year-old boy.
Investigators also identified Colin Gormican, who reportedly worked at the Slinky Dog attraction, and Alex Camacho, who said he worked in Disney food services.
Each faces allegations arising from the undercover investigation. The arrests and criminal charges are not findings of guilt, and the allegations remain subject to the judicial process.
Former Mickey Mouse Performer Also Named in Investigation
The investigation included another particularly sensitive Disney connection.
Authorities identified Collin Klaco, who reportedly told investigators that he previously portrayed Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World.
According to the sheriff's account, Klaco allegedly communicated with an undercover investigator posing as the guardian of a 13-year-old boy and traveled to an arranged meeting location.
Investigators reported finding diapers and wipes in a backpack he brought to the location. Klaco was arrested and charged with offenses including traveling to meet a minor and using a computer to solicit a guardian.
Inside the Magic previously covered the former Mickey Mouse performer's arrest in a separate report.
His reported former employment is significant to the story's Disney connection, but it should not be confused with evidence that he was employed as a character performer when the alleged conduct occurred.
Employee Arrests Put Disney and Universal Screening Practices Under Scrutiny
The number of workers connected to the investigation creates an obvious question for the entertainment industry: What safeguards can employers use to identify potential risks among workers who interact with families?
Background checks, hiring evaluations, ongoing employee screening, and procedures for reporting concerning behavior are all relevant areas for further examination.
However, the arrests alone do not demonstrate that either Disney or Universal failed to follow an applicable screening policy.
They also do not establish whether any suspect had disqualifying information on record when hired, whether subsequent warning signs were reported, or whether management had prior knowledge of the alleged behavior.
Inside the Magic has previously covered four Disney employees arrested in a 2022 undercover operation and a separate 2024 Polk County investigation involving a Disney employee.
Those earlier cases provide historical context, although they do not establish a systemic failure in either company's current employment practices.
What the Arrests Mean for Families Visiting Disney World and Universal
For families planning vacations, the central concern is straightforward: whether the people working at major entertainment destinations are subject to appropriate safeguards.
The sheriff's announcement does not identify a new threat at an operating theme park, report a guest-safety incident arising from this investigation, or announce restrictions affecting park visitors.
Instead, the investigation raises questions about how large employers assess risks that may emerge after someone has joined their workforce.
The distinction matters. Criminal allegations involving employees warrant serious attention, but they should not automatically be interpreted as proof that a destination is unsafe.
As the investigation proceeds, the most consequential unanswered questions concern the employment status of the suspects, the screening procedures that applied to their positions, and whether either company will make changes in response.
For now, the Polk County Sheriff's Office has documented a seven-day operation involving hundreds of arrests and a troubling connection to Central Florida's theme park workforce. What that connection ultimately means for corporate accountability will depend on evidence that extends beyond the arrests themselves.
