DAVENPORT, Fla.Jan 31 2013 - The son of a Disney World security guard arrested for having child porn says his dad is a "stand-up" guy and he never suspected anything.
On Tuesday, deputies stormed Thomas Wheeler's home and they say they found a compilation video of child porn along with other images. The kids, ranging in age from nine to 11, were engaged in various sex acts.
"I personally believe that he knows that it is wrong and he's very sorry for it," said Chris Wheeler, Thomas' 23-year-old son.
Outside the Wheeler's Davenport home sits a Mickey and Minnie bird fountain. There's also a security jacket hanging over the front seat of the car in the driveway.
Chris says his dad worked at Disney for about three or four months.
A company spokesman said Wheeler is on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the case.
"I mean, he's my dad. I want to stand up for him and I want what's best for him, but at the same time I know that it's wrong and I know that he should get some kind of punishment but I hope it's not too severe because he's always been a really stand-up guy," he said.
Chris told us his dad is a gamer, just like him, so it's not unusual for him to spend a lot of time on his computer.
Investigators say Wheeler told them he viewed the child porn because of the "innocence" of the kids involved.
"It makes me want to cry," said Diana Barr, who lives right across the street from Wheeler.
Her kids play on the backyard swing set that's in plain sight of his house.
"The only thing it makes me think is that I need to put a privacy fence up around my yard," she said.
Investigators say there's no evidence to suggest that the child porn involved any local children.
But it's still unsettling for people who live nearby.
"I'm disgusted, and if he's guilty, I hope they nail him to the wall," said Carol Thompson, one of Wheeler's neighbors.
Late Wednesday, a judge set Thomas Wheeler's bond at $64,000 -- $8,000 per charge.
"He seemed remorseful…" Chris said. "If it's any consolation, I have never seen him be anything but respectful to children that he's seen."
source-abcactionnews.com
On Tuesday, deputies stormed Thomas Wheeler's home and they say they found a compilation video of child porn along with other images. The kids, ranging in age from nine to 11, were engaged in various sex acts.
"I personally believe that he knows that it is wrong and he's very sorry for it," said Chris Wheeler, Thomas' 23-year-old son.
Outside the Wheeler's Davenport home sits a Mickey and Minnie bird fountain. There's also a security jacket hanging over the front seat of the car in the driveway.
Chris says his dad worked at Disney for about three or four months.
A company spokesman said Wheeler is on unpaid leave pending the outcome of the case.
"I mean, he's my dad. I want to stand up for him and I want what's best for him, but at the same time I know that it's wrong and I know that he should get some kind of punishment but I hope it's not too severe because he's always been a really stand-up guy," he said.
Chris told us his dad is a gamer, just like him, so it's not unusual for him to spend a lot of time on his computer.
Investigators say Wheeler told them he viewed the child porn because of the "innocence" of the kids involved.
"It makes me want to cry," said Diana Barr, who lives right across the street from Wheeler.
Her kids play on the backyard swing set that's in plain sight of his house.
"The only thing it makes me think is that I need to put a privacy fence up around my yard," she said.
Investigators say there's no evidence to suggest that the child porn involved any local children.
But it's still unsettling for people who live nearby.
"I'm disgusted, and if he's guilty, I hope they nail him to the wall," said Carol Thompson, one of Wheeler's neighbors.
Late Wednesday, a judge set Thomas Wheeler's bond at $64,000 -- $8,000 per charge.
"He seemed remorseful…" Chris said. "If it's any consolation, I have never seen him be anything but respectful to children that he's seen."
source-abcactionnews.com
