A Tennessee tourist was arrested and charged with a felony after he was accused of grabbing the Disney security guard who asked him to move out of the way during the fireworks.
It’s the latest example of a guest accused of behaving badly at the Magic Kingdom.
Brandon Hill, 44, of Enville, Tennessee, pleaded not guilty to battery on an uniformed security guard following the November 25 incident. (It took more than three months for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to release the records, which is why WDWNT is writing about it now.)
A security guard approached Hill’s family because they were blocking the walkway for the nighttime fireworks show.
“She tried to explain that his family was blocking the walkway and that she was charged with keeping it clear for other guests. Both Brandon and his wife began arguing that there was nowhere else for them to go,” the arrest report said.
Hill asked for the security guard’s name because he wanted to file a complaint.
The security guard explained who she was although her coat covered up her name tag. Hill demanded to see it, but the security guard insisted she told him her name and refused to show him the tag.
That’s when Hill grabbed her coat to see her name tag.
“She ‘yanked’ her coat away from Brandon’s grasp, where she told him not to touch her,” the arrest report said.
Hill and his family walked away.
The security guard, who was not injured, wanted to press charges, and law enforcement found Hill to interview him backstage.
Hill denied touching the guard or threatening her.
“While in the security office, Brandon admitted to getting into a heated verbal argument with a security officer who was trying to tell them where to stand,” the arrest report said. “During the argument, Brandon tried to explain that he had nowhere else to go due to the crowd, however, the security officer did not seem to care. … Brandon stated that although the argument occurred, he did not at any time put his hands on (the guard) nor did he threaten her in any way.”
Disney later realized Hill had been involved in an earlier argument with another Cast Member that day, although the arrest report did not provide details about what happened.
“He was then escorted to a backstage area in a Cast parking lot where he was secured in hand irons,” the arrest report said.
A judge granted Hill’s request earlier this month to modify his bond conditions so he can travel around the country for his job in construction and sales, according to court records.
Hill’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
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