A former Disney employee arrested last year for stealing costumes and memorabilia from the Magic Kingdom has agreed to a plea deal that will keep him out of jail.Patrick Spikes was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years probation, 250 hours of community service and restitution.Spikes entered a no contest plea for dealing in stolen property, which landed him 10 years probation.Spikes, of Winter Garden, and his cousin Blaytin Taunton, of Kissimmee, were set to stand trial last month, but that was canceled.Taunton entered a no contest plea for grand theft and was given five years probation. When Spikes walked out of the courthouse and WESH 2 News asked if there was anything he wanted to say, Spikes responded by saying, “I’m going to Disney.” As part of his plea, Spikes was told to never return to Disney parks. Spikes and Taunton faced felony charges for allegedly sneaking into Disney and stealing valuable memorabilia. They were arrested in May 2019.According to the arrest affidavit, Spikes and Taunton snuck into the Magic Kingdom and stole costumes and wigs worth $7,200 from the Haunted Mansion.The documents claim Spikes later received almost $30,000 in payments through PayPal from two different people, including a Winter Park man.That man told investigators “he had purchased multiple items from Patrick Spikes including the haunted mansion dress…(he said) Spikes represented the items as his personal belongings obtained from Disney with permission.”Investigators said they believe the men committed the Disney burglaries between June of 2018 and January of 2019.They said the two pretended to be working in order to gain access and used secret underground tunnels for employees only.Responding to WESH 2 News questions about the investigation, Disney called it a law enforcement matter.One buyer was NBA player Robin Lopez, an avid Disney collector, who purchased clothing belonging to the animatronic figure “Buzzy” from the former “Cranium Command” attraction. The figure itself, valued at $400,000, is still missing.Passing on the chance they might be acquitted at trial on the felony charges against them, Spikes and Taunton entered no contest pleas. Both will perform community service and will share repayment of more than $25,000 in restitution, more than $6,700 to Disney, $10,700 to NBA player Lopez, and more than $7,900 to a Winter Park accountant.The prosecutor summed it up for the judge: “The defendant (Spikes) did knowingly sell property that belonged to Walt Disney knowing that the property was stolen and consists of costumes, clothing, wigs or any combination thereof,” prosecutor Jonah Farr said.Smiling, but saying nothing, Spikes and Taunton headed for the elevator.“You will not return to any Disney property while you are on probation,” Judge Denise Beamer said, moments before adjourning.Despite Judge Beamer’s statement, Spikes had this to say as he left the courthouse: “I’m going to Disney World.”
ORLANDO, Fla. —
A former Disney employee arrested last year for stealing costumes and memorabilia from the Magic Kingdom has agreed to a plea deal that will keep him out of jail.
Patrick Spikes was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years probation, 250 hours of community service and restitution.
Spikes entered a no contest plea for dealing in stolen property, which landed him 10 years probation.
Spikes, of Winter Garden, and his cousin Blaytin Taunton, of Kissimmee, were set to stand trial last month, but that was canceled.
Taunton entered a no contest plea for grand theft and was given five years probation.
When Spikes walked out of the courthouse and WESH 2 News asked if there was anything he wanted to say, Spikes responded by saying, “I’m going to Disney.”
As part of his plea, Spikes was told to never return to Disney parks.
Spikes and Taunton faced felony charges for allegedly sneaking into Disney and stealing valuable memorabilia. They were arrested in May 2019.
According to the arrest affidavit, Spikes and Taunton snuck into the Magic Kingdom and stole costumes and wigs worth $7,200 from the Haunted Mansion.
The documents claim Spikes later received almost $30,000 in payments through PayPal from two different people, including a Winter Park man.
That man told investigators “he had purchased multiple items from Patrick Spikes including the haunted mansion dress…(he said) Spikes represented the items as his personal belongings obtained from Disney with permission.”
Investigators said they believe the men committed the Disney burglaries between June of 2018 and January of 2019.
They said the two pretended to be working in order to gain access and used secret underground tunnels for employees only.
Responding to WESH 2 News questions about the investigation, Disney called it a law enforcement matter.
One buyer was NBA player Robin Lopez, an avid Disney collector, who purchased clothing belonging to the animatronic figure “Buzzy” from the former “Cranium Command” attraction. The figure itself, valued at $400,000, is still missing.
Passing on the chance they might be acquitted at trial on the felony charges against them, Spikes and Taunton entered no contest pleas.
Both will perform community service and will share repayment of more than $25,000 in restitution, more than $6,700 to Disney, $10,700 to NBA player Lopez, and more than $7,900 to a Winter Park accountant.
The prosecutor summed it up for the judge: “The defendant (Spikes) did knowingly sell property that belonged to Walt Disney knowing that the property was stolen and consists of costumes, clothing, wigs or any combination thereof,” prosecutor Jonah Farr said.
Smiling, but saying nothing, Spikes and Taunton headed for the elevator.
“You will not return to any Disney property while you are on probation,” Judge Denise Beamer said, moments before adjourning.
Despite Judge Beamer’s statement, Spikes had this to say as he left the courthouse: “I’m going to Disney World.”
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