The recent arrest of eight men in Florida, among them a Disney employee named Paul Viel, has caused alarm among many in the community.
The month-long investigation led by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and his team, named “Operation May’s Monsters,” sought to identify those who possess and distribute child pornography.
Sheriff Judd described the material as “horrific” – a sentiment that is undoubtedly shared by many. The investigation began on April 24th when the PCSO Office of Emergency Communications Center received an anonymous tip regarding self-employed photographer Stefan Young, 58, of Lakeland.
“These videos and photographs are some of the most horrific my detectives have ever seen – images of children being forced to expose their genitalia and raped, each time one of these monsters uploads and shares child pornography, they are feeding the child exploitation pipeline and they are victimizing children over and over again. Parents, this is another stark reminder of why it is important to get all in your child’s business when it comes to their gaming stations, cell phones, and other electronic devices.” Judd warned.
DISNEY cast member Paul Viel, 40 yrs old ARRESTED on 540 counts of CSAM, ranging from newborns to eight-year-olds. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd spoke about the “horrific” images.#PedophileDeservesDeath pic.twitter.com/1PUEfeWgdF
— ꪻꫝể ꪻꫝể (@TheThe1776) June 8, 2023
According to a tipster, Young had posted an advertisement on Craig’s List for mothers with young daughters to contact him for boudoir photography shoots – some involving children as young as thirteen.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office listed the details of Paul Viel’s arrest:
40-year-old Paul Viel of Davenport was arrested and charged with 999 counts of *enhanced possession of child pornography (F2) after an on-scene preview of his devices and forensic examination of his devices that were seized.
Detectives found images and videos of children as young as newborns being sexually battered.
Viel works for Walt Disney World at the Cosmic Rays Restaurant.
He is being held in the Polk County Jail on a $2,700,000 bond ($5,000 per charge).
This report has sent shockwaves throughout much of the country due to its disturbing nature and implications. As parents, we must be vigilant in our efforts to protect our communities from such devastating threats posed by these predators.
We cannot allow these criminals easy access to vulnerable children whose innocence should never be taken away or compromised.
Polk deputies executed a search warrant at Young’s residence on May 25.
During a review of his devices, deputies found three lewd images of a 9-year-old, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Young was arrested and charged with three felony counts of child pornography.
He is being held in jail on a $30,000 bond.
The other suspects arrested during the investigation were:
- William Cuevas, 49, of Auburndale is charged with 66 felony counts of enhanced possession of child pornography and one felony count of possession of child pornography. The Sheriff’s Office said Cuevas had images and videos of children as young as 4 being sexually battered. He is being held in Polk County Jail on $155,000 bond.
- Davenport resident Reid Donaldson, 24, has been arrested and charged with 11 counts of enhanced possession of child pornography. Donaldson had videos and images of children as young as 3 being sexually battered, according to PCSO. He is being held in jail on $110,000 bond.
- Jay Homuth, 52, of Lakeland faces 97 felony charges of enhanced possession of child pornography. Homuth told detectives he is addicted to child pornography and is uncertain how many files would be found on his devices, according to sheriff’s reports. Investigators said he had images and videos of children as young as five-years-old being sexually battered. Homuth is being held in jail on $485,000 bond.
- Polk City resident Shayne Osborne, 33, is charged with 201 felony counts of enhanced possession of child pornography. Detectives said Osborne said he came across child pornography while searching for bestiality pornography, and claimed to delete it after downloading it. During an on-scene review of his devices, the Sheriff’s Office said detectives found video and images of children as young as a year old being sexually battered.
- David Sparks, 66, of Lakeland is charged with 350 felony counts of enhanced possession of child pornography. Detectives found Sparks had images of children as young as three-months-old being sexually battered, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He is being held on $1.75 million bond.
- Haines City resident Ryan Thomas, 39, faces 11 felony charges of enhanced possession of child pornography. Detectives found images and videos of children as young as 5 being sexually battered on his electronic devices, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Thomas is being held in jail on $55,000 bond.
