A Florida sheriff arrested 17 people suspected of downloading or distributing child sexual abuse material.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced on Tuesday that authorities had arrested 17 people on child pornography charges, including Walt Disney World employees, a nurse, an illegal immigrant, and a man who was “ingesting” soiled underwear.
“These folks are deviants,” Judd said. “Those arrested in this operation create the demand that sustains a child pornographic exploitation distribution pipeline that traumatized children across the world.”
“Operation Guardians of Innocence V” was able to track down the suspects and filed more than 1,400 felonies against the 17 people combined, according to local Florida outlet WFLA. Among those arrested and charged were two Walt Disney World employees and roommates, Justin Hazan and Arlandres Sims.
“When we went to the house, we went after Arlandres Sims,” Judd said. “We also found out that his roommate from Disney, Justin Hazan, also was looking at child porn. [Detectives] didn’t know that. So during the investigation, our detectives found it kind of humorous. Arlandres actually said, ‘You’re doing it too?’”
An illegal immigrant who has been in the United States for 30 years, 45-year-old Nabor Molina, was found with material showing victims as young as 18-36 months old. A 61-year-old man and former Tampa Electric employee, Stephen Lilly, was also arrested and charged with 100 counts of child pornography. Lilly said he had only been looking at the materials in the last two years.
“I don’t know if I believe that,” Judd said. “How do you wake up at 59 years old with a wife and two adult children and think, ‘Gosh, I think I’ll go to the room and start looking at child porn.’ Especially if you’re charged with 100 counts.”
Judd also arrested Jose Ariza in January and charged him with distributing and attempting to purchase child pornography. The sheriff said the man would also buy and eat soiled underwear.
“You know what all kinds of things get in soiled underwear, right?” Judd said. “Sometimes you think you’re passing gas and you’re not. You can’t trust a fart when you’re over 60. He was buying these things and ingesting them. Did you hear me?”
