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While the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort are undoubtedly places of magic and whimsy, there are times when we have some not-so-savory reports to share from or relating to the Parks. Many times these reports are of bad behavior from Guests or occasionally a surprising update from the Disney vs. DeSantis case i.e. the Walt Disney Company’s battle with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. However, today we have news of a more somber nature.
Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort / Credit: Disney
As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, a Disney Cast Member who worked at Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts has been charged and arrested for child pornography. Court records state that the accused “posted photos of his coworkers to a porn social networking website as well as their private contact information.”
Disney employee Daniel Rivera will be facing federal charges after “a file sharing account containing child pornography was accessed on Disney property and at Rivera’s home” was discovered by authorities.
Sorcerer Mickey meet ‘n’ greet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park/Credit: DVC Shop
This began in September of last year when the Orange County Sheriff’s Office was alerted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about potential child pornography being shared on Dropbox. Dropbox cooperated with investigations and provided IP addresses for the same, through which it was discovered that one of the IP addresses was linked to Walt Disney World Service, which “implies that the user was located within Disney office space or Disney property.”
The account did contain files of child porn, and authorities then linked the account with Walt Disney World employee Rivera. Court records further state his account had 155 posts, “including several photos of young girls and women he claims he knows.”
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park entrance, Walt Disney World Resort/Credit: Disney
Orlando Sentinel reported that “After being confronted with conflicting evidence, Rivera said he had been searching for, and obtaining, child pornography ‘about once a week for the last 10 years.’”
The outlet also reached out to Walt Disney World for comment, and they responded in an email that Rivera “has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the charges.”
We will continue to keep readers updated on this story as more developments come to light.
