Credit: Zachare Sylvestre, FlickrPolice officers entered Universal Epic Universe, the newest park to open at the Universal Orlando Resort, to make the arrest.
Universal Epic Universe opened just last year, and welcomed a slew of new lands, attractions, and experiences to the Universal Orlando Resort profile. Joining the already popular Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal CityWalk, Epic Universe made a huge entrance onto the scene in May 2025.
With lands like the Isle of Berk from the How to Train Your Dragon franchise, to celebrations of Universal’s Classic Monsters, and an expansion to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Epic Universe is a buzzy new hub of tourism. That said, while a theme park visit is meant to be an exciting and memorable time, the real world sadly seeps in.
Such was the case this week, when officers in Orange County entered Epic Universe to arrest a team member following an undercover sting.
“Orange County deputies arrested a Universal theme park employee they say tried to meet a 14-year-old for sex after contacting the “teen” online — but investigators say the child was actually an undercover deputy,” Click Orlando reports.
“Deputies arrested 30-year-old Tyler Exline Tuesday at his place of employment, Universal’s Epic Universe,” the report added. “He now faces two counts of solicitation of a minor, according to an arrest affidavit. He faces another count of unlawful use of a two-way communication device, also a third-degree felony.”
The deputies involved in the undercover sting traced Exline–whose name was not available via the profile–through a “chain of digital warrants,” which eventually led them to finding a picture of the 30-year-old wearing a Universal Orlando name badge. The report also states what Exline’s role was at Universal Epic Universe park.
“Deputies said Exline was arrested Tuesday afternoon at Universal’s Epic Universe while he was working as a team leader in the attractions department,” Click Orlando explained.
Universal later confirmed that Exline was no longer an employee with the company. While the police department did not disclose their undercover sting tactics, they did give a warning to parents: “Know what they’re viewing, who they are interacting with, and where they are spending time online.” Adding, “Remember, parents are the first and strongest line of defense.”
Unfortunately, this is not the first time undercover operations have led to the arrest of employees across Central Florida’s massive theme park footprint. Over the years, disturbing reports have surfaced of workers–including cast members at Disney World–engaging in illegal activities with minors.
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