POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Polk County sheriff's deputies arrested 41 people in what they call the largest undercover sex sting operation in the county's history.
More than 41 people, including a Disney World worker and a college student, were arrested in a child sex sting operation in Polk County.
During the week-long operation, arrests took place in Orange and Lake counties, with people traveling as far as from Wisconsin to have sex with boys and girls as young as 13 years old, deputies said.
"Despite the fact our detectives have conducted nine of these operations since 2006; despite the extensive media coverage when we talk about the numerous arrests; despite the fact we make no secret about putting suspects in jail -- there are those who continue to travel to Polk County to have sex with a child," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. "Make no mistake, we will continue to make protecting our children our No. 1 priority. We will continue to conduct these investigations, and we will continue to arrest those who would travel to Polk County to harm children."
James J. Walker III, a 46-year-old costumer's assistant at Walt Disney World, sought sex from a 15-year-old boy, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Disney said Walker was terminated from his position at the company.
Shane Christopher, a 29-year-old student at Valencia College, was also arrested in the sting, and authorities said he was willing to pay $125 to have sex with a 14-year-old girl.
Also among the arrestees was 49-year-old Ignacio Alvarado, of Orlando, an electrician contracted by Orlando International Airport who had access to the entire airport. Although he told detectives he worked for the Transportation Security Administration, Homeland Security said otherwise. Investigators say Alvarado drove to Polk County intending to have sex with a 14-year-old girl talking to him online.
PCSO detectives, as well as investigators from 10 local, state and federal agencies took part in the sting, authorities said.
The 41 suspects -- 40 men and 1 woman -- face a total of 180 charges, ranging from attempted lewd battery, lewd and lascivious battery, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, seduce/solicit/entice to commit in sexual act, traveling to meet minor, drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, traveling to meet/use computer to solicit guardian, transmission of harmful material to minor, to procuring minor for prostitution, and resisting arrest without violence.
Read the full list of arrestees by clicking here.