Was there a swindler at the Swan? A man was arrested for grand theft by fraud this summer after he was accused of not paying his $2,200 hotel bill at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel.
Man Arrested with Fake IDs at Swan Hotel
Justin Lara, 26, was recently arrested for grand theft by fraud earlier this summer at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel.
Claiming he was on a business trip, Lara stayed in Room No. 404 for 10 days in June. At some point during his stay, the hotel staff realized he had given them a credit card flagged as fraudulent. It was a company credit card under the name Brian Smith, whom Lara said was his boss. Lara also claimed Smith was the person covering the $2,200 balance for his hotel stay.
The hotel tried to process other credit cards for Lara, but they were all declined.
Lara said he was from New York — although he had a Florida ID — and was in town for the convention Unreal Fest, a computer game industry conference that did take place in early June at the Orange County Convention Center. After that, Lara said he had some other business in Orlando to attend, as an explanation for why he was still in the area.
When asked to provide more details about his job at the technology company, Lara struggled to give answers, the arrest report said.
He stated his boss, Brian Smith with CHUCO based out of New York, was aware he was here and was paying the expenses with the company card. Justin stated he was supposed to check out of the room today but missed his flight back to New York and was supposed to book the room one more night,” the arrest report said. “He was not aware there was an outstanding balance of $2,200 and was under the impression his boss had paid for the remaining balance. He stated there was a balance of $66 and some change that was accepted but that was the only thing that he was aware of.
Orange County Arrest Report
Lara couldn’t provide a direct number for his boss, and couldn’t reach him when he tried calling the same number on file with the hotel. Lara suspected his boss was at lunch. The authorities also tried calling Smith several times, but again could not reach him.
Lara didn’t know his employer’s address, because he said he works remotely and travels to conventions for work. Lara insisted his boss was supposed to cover the room bill.
Orange County Arrest Report
On the day Lara was asked to check out, he packed his bags and waited for a luggage cart. “He was not spoken to by anyone for any outstanding balance nor was he told he had to pay it at any time by the staff. He was not aware of anything wrong until OCSO arrived,” the arrest report said.
He was arrested and taken to Orange County Jail. Lara had multiple fake IDs, blank checks, “and other suspicious items” in his luggage, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s report.
Lara has a history of giving wrong names and fake IDs during other arrests in Central Florida over the past few years, according to court records.
In 2023, Lara had been arrested in downtown Orlando after police smelled marijuana from his car, and then found a 9mm gun under his driver’s seat. At the time, he gave police a false name and showed them a California ID, although the arrest report said he was from Miami.
Lara pleaded no contest to carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a contraband, according to additional court records.
Lara sought a public defender to represent him, but his request was denied. No other lawyer was listed as representing him.
Lara is paid $1,500 every two weeks, the court records said, although it did not say his employer’s name.
During a court hearing, authorities ruled there was probable cause that Lara committed the crime, and he was ordered not to return to Walt Disney World, “Based on this investigation and other information I located on local police database, I observed that Lara is continuing to make and use ID’s and credit cards.”
Lara did not respond to a request for comment. It took nearly three months for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to release the records, which is why WDWNT is writing about the incident now.
Other reported arrests at Walt Disney World this year include a Passholder who argued with security, a Florida man who grabbed another guest by the neck, and a guest who assaulted a security guard over a Magic Kingdom fireworks viewing spot.
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.