Man convicted of groping Minnie Mouse - The DIS Discussion Forums

Creekermom · 08-11-2009, 02:50 PM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32374939/ns/travel-news/

Disney employee says she tried everything to keep his hands off her breasts

ORLANDO, Florida - A 60-year-old man has been convicted of groping a woman in a Minnie Mouse costume at Walt Disney World.

John William Moyer of Cressona, Pennsylvania, told the judge he is innocent. His son said before sentencing that his father would never inappropriately touch a woman, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

He was convicted Tuesday of misdemeanor battery and sentenced to write the victim an apology, serve 180 days probation and complete 50 hours of community service. Moyer must also pay $1,000 in court costs and possibly undergo a mental evaluation. The victim says she had to do everything possible to keep Moyer's hands off her breasts

JustcallmeHappy · 08-11-2009, 02:53 PM

Hercules10 · 08-11-2009, 02:57 PM

I've been no where near Orlando.

MM27 · 08-11-2009, 02:58 PM

A mouse fetish huh?

Jenvenza · 08-11-2009, 02:59 PM

I read in one article that the defense was trying to say it was just a mouse and not a girl! Really???? Unbelievable!

Deb in IA · 08-11-2009, 03:06 PM

I bet that there was alcohol involved.

DebIreland · 08-11-2009, 04:13 PM

Poor woman. That's awful. I'm glad she sought justice.

I'd hate for kids to see that thread title though - I'm not saying it shouldn't be here cause there are some very serious/tragic issues discussed on this board but this one is sure to ruin the magic. Sick perv.

Feralpeg · 08-11-2009, 04:55 PM

Sadly, this kind of thing happens often. For the most part, it is ignored. The poor CMs can't break character and are pretty much at the mercy of rude guests. The handlers are often doing line control and are not aware of what is happening.

I personally know several CMs that have been touched inappropriately and even hit. I'm glad this CM had the guts to stand up for herself!

Kim&Chris · 08-11-2009, 05:29 PM

I often feel so bad for costumed CM's for these reasons. I've seen people just go 'too far', in terms of needing to hug, kiss, etc the characters. Sad. Those CM's don't make nearly enough money to put up with that stuff.

Good for "Minnie".

DisneyBamaFan · 08-11-2009, 05:48 PM

There has to be more to this story. Not saying that the guy is innocent, but the conviction doesn't convince me, either. From another site:link...

Quote:

The defense countered by saying that there were nine other people in the room, including Moyer's family and other Disney employees who are assigned to watch over the characters, and none of them witnessed anything inappropriate.

"The state wants you to believe this man, in front of all these people, molested this woman. No one saw it. It was never caught on camera," said defense attorney, Zahra Umansky.

This is a case of he said, she said, and the judge believed her. This is a man with a pristine record - never so much as a speeding ticket. He still demands that he is innocent. I saw the pictures, and they show nothing incriminating.

Not sure that I buy it...

Feralpeg · 08-11-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyBamaFan

There has to be more to this story. Not saying that the guy is innocent, but the conviction doesn't convince me, either. From another site:link...This is a case of he said, she said, and the judge believed her. This is a man with a pristine record - never so much as a speeding ticket. He still demands that he is innocent. I saw the pictures, and they show nothing incriminating.

Not sure that I buy it...

But why does a 60 year old man need to put his hands on Minnie's chest? This girl had nothing to gain from this. In fact, it brings attention that Disney does not like. I also saw the pictures and he had his hands where they didn't belong. Most adults would just stand with their arm around the character's shoulders. Not this guy. Just saying...

As for the others in the room, the handlers are usually busy handling the crowds in line. I'm sure the guys family are going to side with him. He seemed to be having a good old time. This happens way too often. I'm glad he got what he deserved.

DisneyBamaFan · 08-11-2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feralpeg

But why does a 50 year old man need to put his hands on Minnie's chest? This girl had nothing to gain from this. In fact, it brings attention that Disney does not like. I also saw the pictures and he had his hands where they didn't belong. Most adults would just stand with their arm around the character's shoulders. Not this guy. Just saying...

It looks like he is hugging her and having fun to me. I agree that the girl had nothing to gain, but we are talking about a man with his whole family in the room. Seriously, what did he have to gain? She suggested that he held on to her breasts as she pushed him to the floor, but no one in the room noticed? She was worried about getting fired, so she "stayed in character"? But she came forward later?

I am not saying that he is innocent, because I wasn't there. But I am saying that I cannot see how he was found guilty based just on this girl's story and the pictures in light of the fact that there were many other people in the room, and none of them noticed anything untoward. There is certainly reasonable doubt.

As you said, just keeping it real...

Wishing on a star · 08-11-2009, 07:11 PM

Just looked at that photo....
His hands are SOOOO on her chest......

Might not be sexual assault.... but I'm definitely agreeing with the 'misdemeanor' conviction.

Feralpeg · 08-11-2009, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisneyBamaFan

It looks like he is hugging her and having fun to me. I agree that the girl had nothing to gain, but we are talking about a man with his whole family in the room. Seriously, what did he have to gain? She suggested that he held on to her breasts as she pushed him to the floor, but no one in the room noticed? She was worried about getting fired, so she "stayed in character"? But she came forward later?

I am not saying that he is innocent, because I wasn't there. But I am saying that I cannot see how he was found guilty based just on this girl's story and the pictures in light of the fact that there were many other people in the room, and none of them noticed anything untoward. There is certainly reasonable doubt.

As you said, just keeping it real...

Well, since I personally know CMs who have had similar things happen to them without anyone doing anything about it. I will tend to side with the CM. I know a girl who was punched in the stomach while playing Minnie because the guest thought it was funny. Nothing was done about it. It happens. Disney does not want this kind of publicity. CMs are NEVER supposed to break character. As it is, the girl could find her job in jeopardy. Of course, they will never say it is because of this incident, but things happen and CMs are let go. I've worked for Disney. I know a lot of CMs that work for Disney. It is not all happy times and support for the CMs.

Again...just keeping it real.

threeboysmom · 08-11-2009, 09:04 PM

Yup. I had doubts until I saw the picture. To me, that pic shows it all. His hand is definitely where it should not be, and it looks like Minnie is trying to protect her chest from his gropes.

Good for her. Glad that she had the courage to speak up about it. Sicko.

08-11-2009, 02:50 PM	#1
Creekermom Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 302	Man convicted of groping Minnie Mouse http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32374939/ns/travel-news/ Disney employee says she tried everything to keep his hands off her breasts ORLANDO, Florida - A 60-year-old man has been convicted of groping a woman in a Minnie Mouse costume at Walt Disney World. John William Moyer of Cressona, Pennsylvania, told the judge he is innocent. His son said before sentencing that his father would never inappropriately touch a woman, the Orlando Sentinel reported. He was convicted Tuesday of misdemeanor battery and sentenced to write the victim an apology, serve 180 days probation and complete 50 hours of community service. Moyer must also pay $1,000 in court costs and possibly undergo a mental evaluation. The victim says she had to do everything possible to keep Moyer's hands off her breasts __________________ ºoº Hoping and Praying for a WDW trip in 2010 ºoº WDW Sept 2007~ Sept 2009~ RIP Roy Disney, nephew of Walt Disney December 16, 2009

08-11-2009, 02:57 PM	#3
Hercules10 Al Bundy WannaBe Join Date: May 2002 Location: Women's shoe store. Posts: 5,060	I've been no where near Orlando. __________________

08-11-2009, 02:58 PM	#4
MM27 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 3,259	A mouse fetish huh? __________________

08-11-2009, 02:59 PM	#5
Jenvenza Ratted out her husband's lack of pony knowledge for a tag! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 3,182	I read in one article that the defense was trying to say it was just a mouse and not a girl! Really???? Unbelievable! __________________ Check out my February 2010 PTR! http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2317888

08-11-2009, 03:06 PM	#6
Deb in IA Knows that KIDS are better than cats When do we leave for that nice long Hawaii vacation? I'm a wimp, and I don't like food that hurts to eat Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Iowa City, IA (that's IOWA, not Idaho or Ohio) Posts: 11,510	I bet that there was alcohol involved. __________________ Deb "Children are our most valuable natural resource." - Herbert Hoover, 31st President, native of West Branch, Iowa

08-11-2009, 02:53 PM	#2
JustcallmeHappy Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: LA Posts: 240

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08-11-2009, 04:13 PM	#7
DebIreland DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 2,832	Poor woman. That's awful. I'm glad she sought justice. I'd hate for kids to see that thread title though - I'm not saying it shouldn't be here cause there are some very serious/tragic issues discussed on this board but this one is sure to ruin the magic. Sick perv. __________________ "I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams." [William Butler Yeats]

08-11-2009, 04:55 PM	#8
Feralpeg Diet coke lover Can now visit the parks anytime My DD, the movie star Sean Bean...is he related to Mr. Bean? Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Windermere, FL Posts: 13,848	Sadly, this kind of thing happens often. For the most part, it is ignored. The poor CMs can't break character and are pretty much at the mercy of rude guests. The handlers are often doing line control and are not aware of what is happening. I personally know several CMs that have been touched inappropriately and even hit. I'm glad this CM had the guts to stand up for herself! __________________

08-11-2009, 05:29 PM	#9
Kim&Chris dreaming of relaxing & soaking up the warm sun at Serenity Bay.... Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 5,311	I often feel so bad for costumed CM's for these reasons. I've seen people just go 'too far', in terms of needing to hug, kiss, etc the characters. Sad. Those CM's don't make nearly enough money to put up with that stuff. Good for "Minnie". __________________ - - thanks, GrumpyPirate! 10/98 CSR (first Disney trip for Kim&Chris) // 11/00 CBR (our Honeymoon!) // 11/01 ASMovies & OKW for MNSSHP // 12/02 Poly for MVMCP! // 03/04 Pop Century & OKW, then 10/04 OKW (fun in the sun!!) // 01/06 OKW for Disney Marathon, then 05/06 CR & DCL Magic, then 10/06 CBR & OKW // 05/07 BCV then DCL Wonder, then 12/07 OKW for a pre-Christmas vacation! // 06/08 Wonder Double Dip!, then 12/08 Wonder 3-day! // 05/09 R&R at our home, OKW // 10/09 - a "do-over" vacation (prior one rained out) at CBR // 05/10 5-day Wonder Double Dip! // 10/10 - Back Home for a few days // 05/11 - 5-day Double Dip on the Disney Dream!! The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. - Thomas Jefferson

08-11-2009, 07:11 PM	#13
Wishing on a star DIS Veteran Another proud Southerner! Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 8,019	Just looked at that photo.... His hands are SOOOO on her chest...... Might not be sexual assault.... but I'm definitely agreeing with the 'misdemeanor' conviction. __________________

08-11-2009, 09:04 PM	#15
threeboysmom I REALLY AM a Princess!!! Hands off the crown! It's not for trade :) Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Porfavor mantenganse alejado de las puertas Posts: 7,961	Yup. I had doubts until I saw the picture. To me, that pic shows it all. His hand is definitely where it should not be, and it looks like Minnie is trying to protect her chest from his gropes. Good for her. Glad that she had the courage to speak up about it. Sicko. __________________

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