ORLANDO, Fla. – A 20-year-old theme park worker is behind bars facing multiple felony charges after an investigation into online child sexual abuse material led detectives to his workplace at Universal Studios.
Detectives with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office charged Brandon Arroyo, of Haines City, with 10 counts of promoting child pornography. He was taken into custody by Orlando police officers at the theme park on Thursday, Dec. 18.
Following the arrest, Universal Studios confirmed that Arroyo’s employment has been terminated.
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The investigation began after authorities received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children (NCMEC). The tip pointed to a user in the Haines City area who was allegedly uploading and sharing explicit files via a private chat on the Kik messaging app.
According to investigators, the digital trail led them to Arroyo’s residence and email address. After obtaining an electronic search warrant, detectives reportedly discovered 10 files depicting the sexual abuse of children aged 5 to 11. Authorities say Arroyo not only possessed the material but actively shared the files with other users on the platform.
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“Suspects like Brandon Arroyo, who engage in downloading and sharing files of children being sexually abused and also work at theme parks, are suspects who demand a closer look into whether or not they are actively engaged in abusing children,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. “We will continue our investigation, and we urge anyone with more information about this suspect to contact our agency.”
Arroyo was booked into the Orange County Jail, where he is currently being held. He awaits transfer to the Polk County Jail to face the charges.
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