WDW Performer Arrested on Child Charges

A Walt Disney World cast member who plays Beast from "Beauty and the Beast" was arrested Thursday on 51 counts of child ography, according to Local 6 News.

Orange County sheriff's deputies arrested Matthew Wendland, 20, after receiving a tip from one of his roommates at Camden World apartments near the Disney World property.

Authorities picked up Wendland at his work at Disney, where he was dressed as the Beast from Walt Disney World.

Click to expand...

WDWFREAK53 said:

*sits back, grabs some popcorn, and awaits the, "This wouldn't be in the news if it wasn't Disney," posts to start flowing in*

Purely disgusting.

Click to expand...

Shaman said:

*fondly remembers the tigger threads*

If its true...hopefully this guy gets what's coming to him.

See song: Sublime's "Date Rape"

:lookaroun :lol: :lookaroun

Click to expand...

slappy magoo said:

knowing how so many child molestors were molested as children themselves, I never quite understand the bloodlust people have for making molestors suffer. Don't get me wrong, I'n not a total bleeding heart liberal. If this guy is guilty, even if he's never personally abused a child (it's not like "merely" supporting child molestation is any better imho) he should be punished. I just don't derive any glee from it. It's a social responsibility, and people who get riled up and sensationalize issues like this only serve to enhance the perverted thrill molestors get from ther crimes.

Click to expand...

VillanovaBlue said:

Not that I view either offense differently, but he was arrested for child , not child Molestation...pretty big difference there...let's not start any rumors here...

Either way, still disgusting...glad he got caught...and good for his roommate for recognizing the danger here...

Click to expand...

slappy magoo said:

knowing how so many child molestors were molested as children themselves, I never quite understand the bloodlust people have for making molestors suffer. Don't get me wrong, I'n not a total bleeding heart liberal. If this guy is guilty, even if he's never personally abused a child (it's not like "merely" supporting child molestation is any better imho) he should be punished. I just don't derive any glee from it. It's a social responsibility, and people who get riled up and sensationalize issues like this only serve to enhance the perverted thrill molestors get from ther crimes.

Click to expand...

hcswingfield said:

Has it ever been proven that looking at leads to sexual crime? I agree that since having child is a crime, the owner should be punished, but I don't think we should start jumping to conclusions about the safety of the woman who plays Belle, or the safety of the children in the parks. I have pictures of flowers stored in my computer. But I never buy cut flowers, and never cut any of the flowers in my yard. Shoot, I don't even smell them - I have too many allergies. This is America. People are innocent until proven guilty. He is charged with having child on his computer. He hasn't been charged with anything else, and hasn't been convicted of anything. Let's not start an modern day witch hunt here.

Click to expand...

VillanovaBlue said:

Not that I view either offense differently, but he was arrested for child , not child Molestation...pretty big difference there...let's not start any rumors here...

Either way, still disgusting...glad he got caught...and good for his roommate for recognizing the danger here...

Click to expand...

hcswingfield said:

Has it ever been proven that looking at leads to sexual crime? I agree that since having child is a crime, the owner should be punished, but I don't think we should start jumping to conclusions about the safety of the woman who plays Belle, or the safety of the children in the parks. I have pictures of flowers stored in my computer. But I never buy cut flowers, and never cut any of the flowers in my yard. Shoot, I don't even smell them - I have too many allergies. This is America. People are innocent until proven guilty. He is charged with having child on his computer. He hasn't been charged with anything else, and hasn't been convicted of anything. Let's not start an modern day witch hunt here.

Click to expand...

Orlando Sentinel said:

Disney worker in child- case released on bond today

Walter Pacheco and Willoughby Mariano
Sentinel Staff Writers

February 9, 2007, 10:40 AM EST

A Walt Disney World cast member who plays the Beast from Beauty and the Beast and sometimes dresses as Goofy was released on bond today, the day after he was arrested on 51 felony counts of child ography.

Orange County deputies arrested Matthew Wendland, 20, after receiving a tip from his roommates who had witnessed photographs of children in sexual poses or acts in Wendland's bedroom.

Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said today that Wendland "has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of the charges." Wendland has worked for Disney for about seven months.

Wendland posted $8,500 bond this morning, according to Orange County Jail spokesman Allen Moore. The court will notify Wendland when he is required to return to court.

Deputies approached Wendland, who was dressed as the Beast at Walt Disney World, and he agreed to accompany them to his home.

A search revealed he possessed about a dozen printed computer pictures of children under 10 performing ______ acts and more than 1,000 ographic images involving children on a CD-ROM disk in an unzipped briefcase located in his bedroom closet, according to records.

Additional hard drives retrieved during the search also will be checked, and pictures where the ages of the children are unclear will be reviewed by a physician to determine their ages.

______ crimes division Sgt. Richard Mankewich does not think Wendland attacked children.

"We interviewed him, and I don't believe he acted out on his fantasies at all," Mankewich said.

Click to expand...