30 August 2010 by Debra Peterson - Disney Travel Examiner
A former Walt Disney World Cast Member has been arrested on 16 counts of possession of child pornography. Timothy Wayne Hammerstone, 22, of Polk City, is accused of using an Xbox gaming system to download child pornography and of soliciting at least one boy to send nude photos of himself.
Polk County sheriff’s detectives arrested Hammerstone on Thursday night, after they followed up on information provided by police in Folsom City, Calif police. Detectives say Hammerstone solicited a 10-year old boy using the Xbox online, offering the boy $20 worth of Microsoft Online credits in exchange for the photos. When the boy’s mother learned of the pictures, she contacted Folsom City police.
When Polk County detectives searched Hammerstone’s home, they found the Xbox system, two computers and a flash drive with 16 child-pornography images depicting various boys, according to a report by the Orlando Sentinel.
Folsom Police Detective Andrew Bates told Sacremento News 10, an ABC affiliate, that parents should realizes gaming systems like Xbox and PlayStation, when connected to the internet, can be used as other technology, such as a computer or telephone; users can speak to one another, text, or send photos, thus making these systems another potential threat.
Hammerstone told detectives he worked for the AMC Theatre located the Downtown Disney area.
However, Disney spokesperson Andrea Finger confirmed Hammerstone is a former employee of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
“He is no longer with the company," said Finger. "We don't tolerate this type of behavior.”
It is unclear when in and in what capacity Hammerstone actually worked for Walt Disney World Resort, nor when his employment was terminated. AMC Theatre is not owned or operated by Disney.
Hammerstone was arrested and held in Polk County jail, with a bond set at $80,000. The case remains under investigation.
GO BACK