Almost three dozen Disney theme park workers have been arrested for alleged kiddie-sex crimes since 2006, according to a broadcast report.
The 35 busts have been for possession of child porn or trying to meet a minor for sex, CNN found after combing through law enforcement and court records.
So far, 32 of those busted have been convicted and the other cases are pending. Two cases of child porn allegedly happened on Disney property.
Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler said these scary arrests represent only a tiny fraction of the company’s workforce.
“Providing a safe environment for children and families is a responsibility we take very seriously. We have extensive measures in place, including pre-employment and ongoing criminal background checks and computer monitoring and firewalls,” she said.
“The numbers reported by CNN represent one one-hundredth of 1 percent of the 300,000 people we have employed during this time period. We continue to work closely with law enforcement and organizations like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as we constantly strengthen our efforts.”
Robert Kingsolver, a service manager who oversaw ride repairs at Walt Disney World in Orlando, was busted for allegedly trying to meet a 14-year-old girl for sex. It was actually a sting set up by Lake County, Florida, sheriff’s investigators.
“My life is ruined,” he told CNN. “My family’s life is ruined. My kids’ life is ruined. I’ve devastated my parents because of bad judgment.”
Kingsolver claimed he was out to protect the girl and was going to call cops as soon as he rolled up to her home. He said his family supports him.
“They love me,” Kingsolver said. “My kids know me, and they know how much I care for kids. They know that their dad is not somebody that will go out and hurt a young child. They know their dad is somebody that would go out and protect a young child at any cost.”
Earlier this month, 40-year-old Allen Treaster, a concierge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, was arrested for allegedly trying to hook up with a 14-year-old boy to “fulfill a fantasy,” according to his text messages.
That 14-year-old was actually an undercover detective.
In a videotaped interview with police, Treaster admitted to having sex with a real 15-year-old in Georgia about 3 ½ weeks before the sting arrest, according to CNN. He had met the boy online.
“OK and when did you find out how old he was?” a detective asked.
“Honestly, I found out before I met him, but you know,” Treaster said.
“So you still went for that, to have sex with him, knowing he was 15 years old?” the detective asked.
“Yes,” Treaster said.