3 Disney World Employees Among 17 Suspects Caught in Massive Child Sex Sting in Florida

Three Disney World employees were among the 17 people arrested during a massive child sex sting operation in Florida.

The operation was dubbed "Operation Child Protector," wherein undercover law enforcement officials had posed as 13 and 14 years old children on social media, New York Post reported.

The undercover officers also posed as kids on online dating apps between July 27 and August 1. After the undercovers and suspects made contact, the officers proposed they meet at a location in Polk County, where they were apprehended.

Those arrested were between 26 and 47 years old. All of them were from Central Florida, except for a 33-year-old man from California. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd on Tuesday labeled the suspects as "deviants."

Judd noted that the suspects had traveled as far away as Clewiston, Florida, with one coming from Los Angeles. Judd said parents should know who their children are talking to and communicating with, NBC News reported.

Disney World Employees

One of the 17 people arrested was a lifeguard in Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney World. The two others were custodians at Walt Disney World Hollywood Studios.

The lifeguard was identified as Kenneth Javier Aquino, 26. But the company said he no longer works for Walt Disney World.

The custodians were identified as Jonathan McGrew, 34, and Savannah Lawrence, 29. Both of them are currently on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the case.

Jail records showed McGrew was being held on bail on Wednesday, August 4, while Lawrence was released on bond. The two Disney World employees have reportedly been dating.

Lawrence told officials that McGrew was the initiator and that she only went along and was not told the age until they were in an Uber heading to the location. The court documents noted that texts showed her being shocked after being told the purported girl's age.

Police said the suspects face nearly 50 felony charges that include attempted lewd battery, traveling to meet a minor for sex, and using a computer to seduce a child.

Child Sex Sting Operation in Florida

Judd said, like the suspects, many people hang out in game rooms and other social media sites where one can likely find children.

He noted that this was the downside of social media, adding that it has made the predator easier to get to the children, Bay News 9 reported.

Meanwhile, a Bay area group cautioned parents and urged them to be more active on their child's social media engagement.

Protect Young Children Project, Tim Williams, said they are 14 million children in America between the ages of 10 to 17 that have full access to pornography and any website that could have access to child predator chat rooms.

Williams cited social media platforms TikTok and Snapchat as being the most popular apps for children. Judd supports the groups' effort, saying parents should be up in their children's business regarding internet usage.

He added that the children's safety depends on checking on them. The Protect Your Children Project wants to educate parents on how to safely and privately install security blocks on their child's phones.

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

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