
Guests have tried to climb EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion, sneak cocaine into the Magic Kingdom, and even destroy park kiosks in drunken fits. Still, the arrest that took place this week stands apart—because the suspect wasn’t just a tourist, but a police officer.
Law enforcement incidents are not new at Walt Disney World. Despite its family-friendly branding, the resort draws tens of millions of visitors each year, and a small percentage inevitably generate headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Some incidents involve public intoxication, assault, or concealed drugs. Others are far more serious. In one case earlier this year, a man was charged with child abuse and battery by strangulation. In another, a guest was caught with narcotics hidden in his wallet. What took place on Tuesday, however, brings a different kind of scrutiny—not just to a guest, but to the badge he wore.
Arrest Made on Disney Property Following Mississippi Investigation
On June 3, a police officer was arrested at Walt Disney World Resort on a kidnapping warrant issued out of Harrison County, Mississippi. David Cunningham, a 22-year-old officer with the Prichard Police Department in Alabama, was taken into custody in Orange County, Florida.
The case stems from an incident on May 24, when deputies in Harrison County responded to reports of gunfire during a party on Audubon Lakes Boulevard. A dog had been hit by recreational gunfire. Authorities say the person involved left in the backseat of a Prichard Police Department vehicle.
Deputies intercepted the vehicle nearby. Behind the wheel was Cunningham. In the front passenger seat was Kristen Allen. Handcuffed in the backseat was a 21-year-old man. Cunningham was found to be in possession of his Prichard Police badge and service weapon. The man in custody was released.
Investigators determined that Cunningham had responded to a call from the party, arrived in his marked patrol vehicle, handcuffed the man who was arguing with the homeowner, and left the scene with him. This led to a kidnapping warrant being issued for Cunningham.
Kristen Allen, who was with him during the encounter, now faces her own legal issues. She is charged with hindering prosecution after allegedly providing multiple scenarios to authorities to justify the man’s detention. According to Harrison County deputies, Allen turned herself in on June 2.
Cunningham had previously worked for the Mobile Police Department. He resigned in February while under administrative investigation and was later hired by Prichard PD. The Harrison County investigation remains active.
A Pattern of Trouble at Disney World
The nature of Cunningham’s arrest—taking place in one of the most tightly controlled resorts in the country—has only added to growing attention around guest behavior at Disney parks.
Security measures at Walt Disney World are extensive, yet year after year, serious incidents still occur. In one case this year, a man was arrested for allegedly choking his girlfriend’s daughter inside their hotel room. In another incident, a guest smashed a kiosk while intoxicated. A third man attempted to sneak cocaine into the Magic Kingdom, only to be caught when a cast member noticed the shape of his wallet during a security screening.

As for the most recent arrest, Disney has not issued a public statement. But the case has already raised broader questions—about accountability, vetting, and what happens when the people sworn to uphold the law are the ones accused of breaking it.
What do you think about the latest drama to hit Disney World?