ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County deputies arrested a Palm Bay Universal theme park employee they say tried to meet a 14-year-old for sex after contacting the “teen” online — but investigators say the child was actually an undercover deputy.
Deputies arrested 30-year-old Tyler Exline Tuesday at his place of employment, Universal’s Epic Universe. He now faces two counts of solicitation of a minor, according to an arrest affidavit. He faces another count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, also a third-degree felony.
Investigators said the initial contact happened on Sniffies, a map-based hookup site. The platform says you must be at least 18 years old to join, but there is no identification, photos or profile required.
Coco Outler, an Orange County mother who has a 17-year-old son, said she is always worried about what he is exposed to online, and terrified by cases like these.
“It’s not right for the guys or the kids to just go online and just say ‘agree, oh you’re 18’ just to explore the site,” she said. “It’s not right at all.”
According to deputies, the conversation later moved to Snapchat, where the undercover deputy told Exline he was 14.
The affidavit alleges Exline asked for nude photos twice and discussed meeting up. Deputies said the meetup never happened.
Deputies said Exline did not use his real name online, but they were able to identify him through a chain of digital warrants. Investigators said the trail included a Snapchat search that led to an Apple account and selfies that showed a Universal name badge. Deputies said facial recognition then connected him to a Venmo profile and his real identity.
Deputies said Exline was arrested Tuesday afternoon at Universal’s Epic Universe while he was working as a team leader in the attractions department.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office declined an interview request on Wednesday, saying it could not disclose investigative tactics.
But in a statement to News 6, urged parents to stay vigilant, saying in part, “Know what they’re viewing, who they are interacting with, and where they are spending time online. Remember, parents are the first and strongest line of defense.”
In a statement to News 6, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office urged parents to stay vigilant, saying, “Parents are the first and strongest line of defense.”
Universal also provided a statement saying, “This individual is no longer with the company.”
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