Seventeen employees from Walt Disney World and Universal Studios were among 281 suspects arrested during a seven-day undercover human trafficking and child predator operation in Polk County, Florida, according to law enforcement announcements released on October 30, 2026.
Sheriff Grady Judd detailed the results during an October 30 press conference alongside Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, characterizing the venture as the single largest undercover operation conducted by the agency. Detectives operated dual undercover investigations simultaneously, one targeting adults attempting to travel to meet minors for sexual activity and another focusing on human trafficking networks. The joint-agency investigation, titled Operation Polk Around and Find Out II, ran across Polk County and involved local, state, and federal partners.
Theme Park Workers and Public Officials Arrested
Among the high-profile arrests highlighted by the sheriff’s office was Collin Klaco, a 24-year-old from Clermont identified as a former Mickey Mouse character performer at Walt Disney World (Inside the Magic). Detectives alleged that Klaco communicated online with an undercover officer posing as the guardian of a 13-year-old boy, and stated they found two backpacks containing diapers in his possession upon his arrival at an arranged meeting (WKMG).
Investigators reported that 17 of the individuals arrested held employment connections to Central Florida theme parks, with 13 tied to Disney and four to Universal Orlando, though not all of those individuals were accused of child sexual exploitation (International Business Times UK).
Other theme park workers named in arrest records included Adam Snyder, 24, of Champions Gate, who told investigators he worked in Toy Story Land, and Colin Gormican, 28, of Davenport, who worked on the Slinky ride (International Business Times UK). Sheriff Judd also highlighted the arrest of Eric Raymond, an Orange County school resource deputy assigned to Independence Elementary School, who allegedly responded to an online undercover advertisement and agreed to pay for sex (Tampa Bay 28).
He says, ‘Sheriff, are you really going to put my picture up there?’ There’s your sign. I told him, ‘Oh yeah, we’re going to air you out because you’re a law enforcement officer, and people expect more from you.’
Sheriff Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Crackdown Generates 488 Criminal Charges
The seven-day crackdown generated 488 new criminal charges, comprising 198 felonies (WPEC). According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the 281 suspects accumulated a collective prior criminal record of 358 felonies and 440 misdemeanors (Daily Ridge). Investigators noted that 24 suspects brought firearms to the scheduled meetings, nine were on active probation, and nine had been arrested in previous sheriff’s office undercover stings (WPEC).
State authorities also released demographic and financial data regarding those taken into custody. Records indicated that 22 suspects collectively collected $8,373 each month in public assistance, totaling $100,476 annually (FOX 13 Tampa Bay). Additionally, 32 suspects were identified as undocumented immigrants, and authorities stated that 16 of them had already been transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (CBS News).
Victim Support Services Provided
While the primary thrust of the operation resulted in 239 prostitution-related arrests and 31 arrests of suspected child sexual predators, the simultaneous human trafficking sting identified 11 victims who were offered immediate support services (Daily Ridge). Detectives were embedded alongside non-profit organizations, including One More Child and the Florida Department of Children and Families, to screen individuals who traveled to meet undercover operatives (Daily Ridge).
Stacie Ham, an anti-trafficking supervisor with One More Child who is herself a survivor of human trafficking, worked alongside detectives throughout the operation (Tampa Bay 28).
Walk alongside these survivors, if they’re going through court processes, if they’re going through the legal system. If they’re navigating needs, they need themselves, for their kids. They’re helping them get jobs, apply for housing.
Stacie Ham, One More Child
Disney Terminates Workers as State Seeks Penalties
Representatives for Walt Disney World confirmed to law enforcement that the company cooperated with the investigation and had already terminated the employment of the workers implicated in the sting (CBS News). Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that his office would handle the prosecutions and seek aggressive penalties (Florida’s Voice).