DAVENPORT, FL – A former Disney World employee who told detectives he once dressed as Mickey Mouse was arrested during an undercover child predator investigation after communicating online with an undercover detective posing as the guardian of a 13-year-old boy.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who discussed the investigation during a press conference Friday morning, the arrest was part of a larger seven-day undercover operation that resulted in 281 arrests, including 31 suspects accused of offenses involving children and 17 theme park employees.
Investigators identified the suspect as 24-year-old Collin Klaco of Clermont, Florida.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Klaco communicated online with an undercover detective posing as the guardian of a 13-year-old boy. During the conversations, Klaco described explicit sexual acts involving the child, including activities involving diapers and diaper changing.
Sheriff Grady Judd said Klaco also expressed interest in engaging in inappropriate activity inside a public family restroom.
Klaco subsequently drove to the undercover location, where detectives took him into custody. During the arrest, investigators discovered diapers and wipes inside a backpack he had brought into the house.
Following his arrest, Klaco told detectives that he previously worked at Walt Disney World, where he dressed as Mickey Mouse.
Klaco was charged with four felonies:
- Traveling to meet a minor (second-degree felony)
- Use of a computer to solicit a guardian (third-degree felony)
- Use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony (third-degree felony)
- Attempted lewd or lascivious battery on a minor (third-degree felony)
The broader investigation resulted in 239 arrests related to prostitution offenses, 31 arrests involving suspected child predators, and 11 additional arrests.
Authorities also identified 11 human trafficking victims during the operation.
Sheriff Judd was joined during Friday’s press conference by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, and representatives from several state and federal law enforcement agencies. Nothing further at this time.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
