A Florida local was arrested at Disney Springs — the shopping and dining district located at Walt Disney World — after making “derogatory comments” towards Disney Cast Members, yelling at children, and then proceeding to threaten Orange County sheriff’s deputies.
Disney wanted Edward Stephenson, 30, of Brandon, Florida, trespassed from Disney World, meaning he would have been banned from the property and not allowed to return. Stephenson pleaded not guilty to trespass, according to Orange Circuit Court records.
Drunk and Disorderly Man Screams At Disney Cast Members
According to reports, the police arrest records released months after the incident show Edward Stephenson was arrested on January 15 after being drunk and disorderly at Disney Springs. According to the arrest report, he was “being belligerent and cursing at/in front of children.” He proceeded to make inappropriate comments towards juveniles at the Once Upon a Toy shop.
Disney security got involved and asked Stephenson to leave the premise, but that is when the 30-year-old made “derogatory comments” toward the workers, per the police report.
“It took three deputies to place his arms behind his back and secure him,” the Orange County Sheriff’s arrest report said. “Once secured, he continued to tell deputies he would sue deputies. Mr. Stephenson also advised he was a Registered Nurse and told deputies we better hope he is never our nurse in an Emergency Room.”
Stephenson’s Family Refuses To Pick Him Up
Stephenson’s brother was also at Disney Springs and tried to help calm him down, but the police report stated that Stephenson clenched his fists and appeared ready to fight him, so his brother decided it was best to stay out of it and leave him alone.
Stephenson was eventually escorted to the Lime Parking Garage, where his family was supposed to pick him up; however, “it was later determined that Mr. Stephenson had upset his family because of his actions, and they refused to come to pick him up” per the police report.
As security led Stephenson to the parking garage, he decided to pull out his phone and start recording the incident. “While doing so, he continued to walk and not change direction when small children and families were walking,” the arrest report said. “He would sway into their paths and then tell them (to) get out of his way while waving his trespass warning in their faces. Mr. Stephenson was repeatedly told to keep walking towards the exit, and he would stop to record and curse at deputies.”
Because his family would not come to pick him up, Stephenson was told to call an Uber. However, he refused and continued to act aggressively toward families and young children passing by him.
Stephenson was getting extremely close to others, including law enforcement. He got so close that the report stated he accidentally spat in one deputy’s face.
Deputies then proceeded to put Stephenson into handcuffs, but Stephenson fought back and braced his arms, putting up a fight. He then began yelling at police, claiming he was an RN before being taken to the Orange County Jail.
