On October 7, 2026, 37-year-old Michael Byrne of Lakeland, Florida, was arrested in an undercover child predator sting conducted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Key Details of the Case
- The Investigation: According to an arrest affidavit, an undercover deputy operating a Snapchat account (identified as “madmax17245”) made contact with Byrne in August 2026. When Byrne identified himself as a 37-year-old male, the undercover deputy stated he was a 13-year-old boy in Orlando. Byrne allegedly sent sexually explicit images and videos to the undercover account and requested photos in return.
- The Arrest: Investigators tracked the account to Byrne and taken into custody at 751 Backstage Lane, a backstage area near EPCOT at Walt Disney World. Disney officials confirmed that Byrne was not a Disney employee, and it remains unclear how he gained access to the restricted backstage location.
- Statements to Police: Upon questioning, Byrne acknowledged owning the Snapchat account but claimed he was unaware he was messaging a 13-year-old.
- Criminal Charges: Byrne was booked into the Orange County Jail and held without bond. He faces multiple felony charges, including:
- Solicitation of a minor via computer
- Transmission of material harmful to minors
- Unlawful use of a two-way communication device
He is being held without bond in the Orange County Jail.
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