Man Arrested in EPCOT Backstage After Undercover Snapchat Sting

Overview

• Michael Byrne, 37, of Lakeland was arrested Wednesday at a backstage address at EPCOT after investigators say he contacted a Snapchat account that an undercover deputy was operating as a 13-year-old.
• Byrne was charged with solicitation of a minor via computer, transmission of harmful material to minors, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device and was taken to the Orange County Jail held without bond.
• Disney told reporters that Byrne is not a Walt Disney employee, and authorities have not confirmed how he entered the restricted backstage area at 751 Backstage Lane.
• According to the arrest affidavit, Byrne sent explicit photos and videos, asked the decoy for images in return, and acknowledged the Snapchat account was his while saying he did not know the account represented a minor.
• The case follows a recent undercover sting that led to an arrest at a nearby theme park and underscores growing use of online decoy operations and fresh scrutiny of theme-park security and vendor or third-party access.