An American football coach and a Disney World employee are among nearly 300 people arrested for sexual harassment
Florida authorities uncover alleged child predators and human trafficking networks in a major weeklong operation
A major undercover operation in Florida has resulted in 281 arrests, including a youth football coach, a former Walt Disney World character performer and several theme park employees.
The weeklong investigation, named Operation Polk Around and Find Out II, was led by the Polk County Sheriff's Office with support from multiple law enforcement agencies.
Authorities said the operation involved two separate investigations. One targeted adults allegedly attempting to arrange sexual encounters with minors, while the other focused on prostitution and suspected human trafficking networks.
Collectively, those arrested face 488 new criminal charges, including 198 felonies and 290 misdemeanours.
Among the cases highlighted by Sheriff Grady Judd was that of 24-year-old Colin Klaco , who reportedly told investigators he had previously worked as a Mickey Mouse performer at Disney World.
According to Judd, Klaco arrived carrying two backpacks filled with diapers, which he allegedly intended to use during an encounter with someone he believed was a young boy. The individual was actually an undercover investigator.
Another Disney employee, Adam Snyder , worked at the Roundup Rodeo restaurant in Toy Story Land. Police said he was arrested while allegedly still wearing his work uniform after attempting to arrange a sexual encounter with someone he believed was a minor.
Also among those arrested was 31-year-old Rashion Crayton , a local youth football coach whose online conversations with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old girl reportedly contained explicit messages.
Undercover operation exposes alleged predators and trafficking victims
Judd described Crayton's communications as particularly disturbing, claiming the coach had discussed collecting the supposed teenager from school before engaging in sexual activity.
An active-duty US Navy sailor, 24-year-old Dang Thai , was also arrested after allegedly communicating with someone he believed was underage. Officials said he claimed to be 17 during the online exchange, despite being 24.
The investigation resulted in 31 arrests connected to alleged child sexual predation. A further 239 arrests related to prostitution offences, while 11 others involved separate matters.
Among those accused in the prostitution investigation, 117 allegedly travelled to arrange paid sexual encounters, while 122 were arrested for offering prostitution services. An Orange County deputy was also among those accused of soliciting.
Authorities confirmed that 17 theme park employees were arrested, including 13 connected to Disney and four employed by Universal. Disney confirmed that the employees involved had been dismissed, while Universal also said it had terminated the employment of its arrested workers.
Beyond the arrests, investigators identified 11 individuals believed to be victims of human trafficking. They were offered support and assistance following assessments involving specialist organisations.
Officials said those arrested came from across Florida, 20 other US states and 18 foreign countries, with just 40 suspects living in Polk County.
Florida's attorney general said prosecutors intended to pursue the cases, while Judd urged parents to monitor children's online activities and remain aware of the adults involved in their lives.
