An undercover operation led to a Florida man’s arrest backstage at Walt Disney World after he sent explicit images to a detective posting as a 13-year-old boy.

Man Arrested Backstage at Walt Disney World

News 6 reports that Michael Byrne of Lakeland was arrested at 751 Backstage Lane, a backstage address at EPCOT. However, Disney told News 6 that Byrne is not an employee. It’s not clear how he accessed the area.

Byrne was connected to Snapchat account “madmax17245,” which contacted an undercover deputy in August 2026. Byrne identified himself as a 37-year-old male and the deputy identified himself as a 13-year-old boy.

Byrne sent an explicit image and three videos before asking for images in return.

When detectives arrested Byrne, he admitted the Snapchat account was his but said he did not know he was communicating with a 13-year-old.

He was charged with solicitation of a minor via computer, transmission of harmful material to minors, and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. He was transported to the Orange County Jail and held without bond.

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