ORLANDO, Fla. – A 49-year-old Walt Disney World custodian was arrested Friday on allegations of holding a coworker against her will and sexually battering her in a closet at their workplace.
Gideon Paul Hunte, of Kissimmee, was arrested on charges of kidnapping and sexual battery.
According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the woman said that Hunte, whom she only knew from seeing him at work, pinned her against a wall in a custodial closet on Thursday evening and forced her onto her knees while attacking her.
The woman told deputies that she resisted during the entire attack, which lasted up to five minutes, according to the Sheriff's Office.
She added that she thinks he finally stopped attacking her because she wouldn't quiet down, according to officials.
The woman reported the incident to her supervisor, who said the woman was crying hysterically and shaking. Her supervisor then contacted authorities.
The woman told authorities that she was not a friend of Hunte and never had a relationship with him.
In a statement, Disney said, "This is a law enforcement matter. He has been placed on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the charges. We have zero tolerance for this type of alleged behavior."
Disney wouldn't say how long Hunte has been working at Disney or the extent of his interactions with park guests, but says the attack happened in a back stage area where guests aren't present.
After being interviewed by detectives, Hunte was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail.
Neighbors say Hunte has a wife and children and the attack seems completely out of character.