Ex-Disney Employee Sentenced to 3 Years for Child Pornography Offense

SANTA ANA, Calif.—On Thursday, a former Disneyland employee was sentenced to three years in federal prison for possessing child pornography.

Austin Larmour, 28, pleaded guilty on June 20 to the charges against him.

According to federal prosecutors, Larmour had at least 11 files of child pornography, which he acquired from a Telegram chat and stored on his cellphone.

Prosecutors acknowledged Larmour’s prompt acceptance of responsibility and his commitment to professional help.

An evaluation by a doctor indicated that he has “complete or nearly complete control over his sexual behavior” and “does not appear to have a persistent sexual attraction to children.” The doctor also assessed him as a “low risk” for re-offending, as stated by prosecutors.

Larmour confessed his guilt when approached by investigators, according to the prosecutors.

Prosecutors asserted that Larmour’s interactions with law enforcement have effectively deterred him from further illegal activities.

The prosecution highlighted that Larmour’s challenging childhood involved witnessing “physical and verbal abuse,” and he described his upbringing and early teenage years as “tumultuous.” They noted he had a “difficult relationship with his father, particularly during puberty, which has led to ongoing issues that he is addressing through therapy.”

Previously employed at Disneyland and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Larmour has secured stable employment at McDonald’s since his arrest, working as a sales clerk and then advancing to area manager. He has excelled in this role, recently achieving shift leader status and receiving an employee of the month award, according to prosecutors.

In addition to his work, Larmour volunteers at an animal shelter in his free time, the prosecutors noted.

The case against Larmour began as part of a Homeland Security Operation Swipe Left investigation in Arizona in 2021, according to an affidavit from Homeland Security Special Agent Joseph DeLuca.

This investigation was triggered by the arrest of Michael Spatz of Gilbert, Arizona, who pled guilty to the sexual exploitation of a minor and has been sentenced to 35 years in prison, DeLuca stated.