A former Walt Disney World employee who once entertained children dressed as Mickey Mouse is now facing serious child sex crime charges after allegedly attempting to arrange a disturbing encounter with someone he believed was a 13-year-old boy.
Collin Klaco, 24, of Clermont, Florida, was among 281 people arrested during a massive undercover operation led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The seven-day investigation, dubbed “Polk Around and Find Out II,” was the largest sting of its kind in the department’s history.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd revealed the shocking results during an October 30 news conference, identifying Klaco as one of 31 suspects arrested in the operation’s child predator investigations.
According to investigators, Klaco communicated online with an undercover detective posing as the guardian of a 13-year-old boy. During the conversations, he allegedly discussed sexually abusing the child and described disturbing fantasies involving diapers.
Detectives said Klaco eventually agreed to meet the supposed child and drove to an undercover location in Polk County, unaware that law enforcement officers were waiting for him.
When he arrived, deputies immediately took him into custody. Investigators reportedly discovered two backpacks containing diapers and other supplies, including Disney-themed items, that they believe he intended to use during the encounter.
The arrest took an especially unsettling turn when authorities learned about Klaco’s former job at Disney World.
Judd told reporters that Klaco previously performed as Mickey Mouse, even demonstrating the high-pitched voice he allegedly used while portraying the beloved character.
“He had the high squeaky voice, too, by the way,” the sheriff remarked.
Klaco told investigators he was no longer employed by Disney at the time of his arrest. He now faces several felony charges, including traveling to meet a minor, using a computer to solicit a guardian, using a communication device to facilitate a felony and attempted lewd or lascivious battery on a minor.
No actual child was involved in the undercover encounter, and the allegations against Klaco have not been proven in court.
The former Disney performer was far from the only notable suspect caught in the operation. Authorities also arrested a youth football coach, an Orange County sheriff’s deputy and several other people connected to Central Florida’s major theme parks.
Investigators said 17 employees from Disney World and Universal Orlando were among those arrested. The operation also exposed allegations involving people in positions of public trust, including individuals who worked with children.
In total, the weeklong sweep produced 281 arrests across several categories of offenses, primarily involving prostitution-related crimes and suspected child exploitation. Authorities identified 11 human trafficking victims and connected them with assistance services.
The investigation involved numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier joining Judd to announce the results.
The operation also drew involvement from Chris Hansen, the television personality best known for confronting suspected online child predators on To Catch a Predator. According to TMZ, Hansen participated in the sting and interviewed suspects following their arrests.
Judd praised the coordinated effort, emphasizing the importance of identifying vulnerable victims while pursuing individuals accused of attempting to exploit children.
For Klaco, the allegations represent a dramatic fall from a job associated with childhood entertainment to a jail cell and the possibility of serious criminal penalties.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
