Orlando Man Arrested, Accused of Groping Four Girls at Walt Disney World

An Orlando, Florida man faces six counts of “lewd or lascivious molestation” for allegedly groping and molesting four girls throughout the year at Walt Disney World.

James Anthony Jones, 50, was arrested on October 17th for grabbing the breasts of two young women at two separate Magic Kingdom locations.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Jones was caught on camera that evening groping a young woman at 6:15 PM in the Ye Olde Christmas Shop store and a similar assault was reported at 8 PM at the Haunted Mansion attraction.

Though Jones denied being at either location, authorities later used footage taken from a security camera to place Jones at Ye Olde Christmas Shop, with an image from a security camera showing his hand “about an inch” from the chest of the first victim.

When presented with the image, Jones admitted that he was the man seen in the picture, and when asked about the Haunted Mansion incident, admitted to having ridden the attraction before asking for an attorney.

The charges filed against Jones indicate that one of the victims was under 12 years of age, while the other was between the ages of 12 – 15.

Speaking to investigators, the girl who reported the Haunted Mansion assault stated that a man had reached down and touched her private areas through her clothing in the “stretching room” area – the first major show scene area where four paintings are elongated to reveal comical fates for each subject –  of the ride. After assaulting her, Jones then boarded the ride.

Following his arrest, authorities were able to tie Jones to two further assaults that occurred earlier in the year at the Magic Kingdom.

Jones, an annual pass holder, had his pass history reviewed and was discovered to have been at the park on the day of July 12th, the day a 14-year old victim reported a similar assault at the Haunted Mansion in which her breasts, thighs, buttocks, and private areas had been rubbed by an unidentified man.

On September 16th, a 13-year old victim stated that she had been groped three times on the Avatar Flight of Passage attraction, with the assailant touching her breast with his hand, placing both hands on her chest as she passed by, and touching her with the back of his hand as they exited the ride, to which the girl cried out “Dude, you touched me three times!” as Jones walked away.

After contacting the victim’s mother following Jones’ October 16th arrest, the mother stated she had seen reports of his arrest on the news and recognized him as the man who assaulted her daughter.

In a statement, Disney described Jones’ alleged actions as “unacceptable” and stated that park employees would continue to assist in the sheriff’s ongoing investigation.

The Orange County Sheriff’s office is currently looking for further victims, stating that ““Detectives are interested in speaking with anyone who feels they may have been victimized by Jones.”

Jones is currently being held without bail at the Orange County Jail.

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