CM arrested

[momofdbsdc]

Fox news just ran a story stating that a Cm who portrayed the Beast (they didn't say which park in WDW) was arrested on possessing child porn...
What is the world coming to...

His roomate turned him into police.

 

[laceemouse]

Wow, anyone have a link?
As sad as this is, I don't see any situation where a CM in a park would ever be alone with a child to do anything inappropriate.

 

[wisbucky]

Good for the roommate! But this is sad to think that someone who is interacting with our our children at a place we hold trust in could be involved in such an act. But in Disney's defense they can not know what goes on in a person's mind day in and day out. Disney can only do a back ground investigation. I do hope that this person (if guilty) is penalized to the fullest extent of the law.

 

[phamton]

http://www.local6.com/news/10971159/detail.html

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...feb09,0,1478749.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Here is the article from the Orlandosentinal.com website.

Disney worker in child-porn case released on bond today

Walter Pacheco and Willoughby Mariano | Sentinel Staff Writers
Posted February 9, 2007, 10:40 AM EST

A Walt Disney World cast member who plays the Beast from Beauty and the Beast and sometimes dresses as Goofy was released on bond today, the day after he was arrested on 51 felony counts of child pornography.

Orange County deputies arrested Matthew Wendland, 20, after receiving a tip from his roommates who had witnessed photographs of children in sexual poses or acts in Wendland's bedroom.

Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said today that Wendland "has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the charges." Wendland has worked for Disney for about seven months.

Wendland posted $8,500 bond this morning, according to Orange County Jail spokesman Allen Moore. The court will notify Wendland when he is required to return to court.

Deputies approached Wendland, who was dressed as the Beast at Walt Disney World, and he agreed to accompany them to his home.

A search revealed he possessed about a dozen printed computer pictures of children under 10 performing sex acts and more than 1,000 pornographic images involving children on a CD-ROM disk in an unzipped briefcase located in his bedroom closet, according to records.

Additional hard drives retrieved during the search also will be checked, and pictures where the ages of the children are unclear will be reviewed by a physician to determine their ages.

Sex crimes division Sgt. Richard Mankewich does not think Wendland attacked children.

"We interviewed him, and I don't believe he acted out on his fantasies at all," Mankewich said.

 

[laceemouse]

Sad. Thanks for the links.

 

[disnut8]

Before everyone gets riled up let's remember one of this country's basics. This person is innocent until proven guilty. Too many times we forget that and condemn someone before we know all the facts to the case.

 

[Dsnymouse]

I agree with Disnut - but how sad that kids cant just "be kids" anymore. We have to ruin there simplicity in life with this stuff! I believe that's why I always loved Disney. It is a place as an adult, I can feel like a kid again!

Glad he is not at the parks anymore!

 

[momofdbsdc]

He is absolutely innocent until proven guilty! I just think that it is sad that children get expoited this way, by anyone.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

It could of been a lot worse though, he could of been the one taking the pictures, instead of just looking at them. It's still disturbing, considering what his job was. But, it could of been much, much, worse.

 

[Day Dreamer]

If he is indeed guilty is all I can say is what a shame. We have to watch our kids sooooo closely these days no matter where they are.

 

[labattblue]

Before everyone gets riled up let's remember one of this country's basics. This person is innocent until proven guilty. Too many times we forget that and condemn someone before we know all the facts to the case.

You're right. Innocent until proven guilty. I am sure he has a good explanation for this...

A search revealed he possessed about a dozen printed computer pictures of children under 10 performing sex acts and more than 1,000 pornographic images involving children on a CD-ROM disk in an unzipped briefcase located in his bedroom closet, according to records.

 

[luvdisney77]

You're right. Innocent until proven guilty. I am sure he has a good explanation for this...

A search revealed he possessed about a dozen printed computer pictures of children under 10 performing sex acts and more than 1,000 pornographic images involving children on a CD-ROM disk in an unzipped briefcase located in his bedroom closet, according to records.

I'm with you! What possible explanation could you have for having thousands of images of child porn?!?!

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

You're right. Innocent until proven guilty. I am sure he has a good explanation for this...

A search revealed he possessed about a dozen printed computer pictures of children under 10 performing sex acts and more than 1,000 pornographic images involving children on a CD-ROM disk in an unzipped briefcase located in his bedroom closet, according to records.

That's exactly what I was about to post. Once it says a search revealed, that's all I need to know.

 

[ksloane]

I agree that it's sad to think of someone whit this information and even worse to think that they are disney employees, but while the chances are not high, even though the search found these things, there are chances that they were not his, there without his knowledge, etc. I'll be the first to admit that these chances are slim to none, but there are chances that he is innocent.

 

[dbk1029]

I agree that it's sad that things like this take place.

However I am also with the concept of innocent until proven guilty. Perhaps the roomies don't like him and planted the materials and called the police. Perhaps he is guilty. That is what our court system is there for.

 

[MaeDaisy]

It could of been a lot worse though, he could of been the one taking the pictures, instead of just looking at them. It's still disturbing, considering what his job was. But, it could of been much, much, worse.

Neither is "worse." They are both equally horrible. It's a cycle where one crime feeds off the other. If there weren't people like this guy who are "just looking at them" then there wouldn't be a market for the people taking the pictures.

 

[perdidochas]

You're right. Innocent until proven guilty. I am sure he has a good explanation for this...

A search revealed he possessed about a dozen printed computer pictures of children under 10 performing sex acts and more than 1,000 pornographic images involving children on a CD-ROM disk in an unzipped briefcase located in his bedroom closet, according to records.

he could have been framed......

 

[jfap]

It said on the news that He Admitted to having the pictures on his computer. So doesn't sound like he was framed......Just Caught Redhanded. Good for his roommates who turned him in.

 

[Disney4Drew]

It could of been a lot worse though, he could of been the one taking the pictures, instead of just looking at them. It's still disturbing, considering what his job was. But, it could of been much, much, worse.

Ummmm.....