ORLANDO, Fla. – A man was arrested on allegations of groping six people, including teens, at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon over the Fourth of July weekend, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.
One of the six victims told deputies that Aman Bhatia, 27, of Louisiana, was in the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon and as the waves crashed over her, she felt hands touching her body.
Bhatia allegedly repositioned himself back in front of the victim, the report from the Sheriff’s Office said.
An observer watched Bhatia move around the wave pool and look around to "make sure no one was between himself and the victim," the report said.
Bhatia was observed stretching his arms toward another victim who emerged from the water gesturing and asking who grabbed her.
Another victim told deputies that she was in the wave pool when she was grabbed by her waist from behind, deputies said.
The victim was able to break loose of Bhatia's grasp, but he grabbed her again, officials said. Her friend was able to help her pull way.
The victim told the coordinator, who confronted Bahtia, deputies said.
Bhatia was confronted by several other men, and a lifeguard was alerted about the incident.
The Sheriff's Office said Bhatia is banned from returning to Disney.
Bhatia was charged with for four counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and two counts of battery.
After posting bond around 1 a.m. Wednesday, Bhatia left the Orange County Jail but walked back into the lobby after being confronted by a News 6 photographer. He stayed there until a car picked him up around 7:45 a.m.
News 6 received a statement Wednesday night from Bhatia's attorney, saying they are conducting a vigorous defense investigation.