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Man Allegedly Caught Molesting Girl At Disney-Area Hotel

Posted: 3:56 pm EDT April 30, 2007Updated: 5:16 pm EDT April 30, 2007

Orange County investigators believe a southwest Florida man may have been targeting children at local hotels for several days before his arrest. William Bishop was allegedly caught in the act molesting an 8-year-old girl near a hotel at Walt Disney World on Friday.

Investigators said Bishop had a tiny video camera hanging inside his Hawaiian shirt. They believe he taped his crime, but then rewound and rolled over the evidence. Still, they said, they have a very strong case against him.

"This is a guy who's a danger to our society," said Sgt. Rich Mankewich, Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators believe 61-year-old William Bishop has been molesting children for a long time. This time, an 11-year-old boy said he witnessed the crime in the bushes at the Swan Resort at Walt Disney World on Friday.

In fact, before being caught in the act, he allegedly made an earlier attempt on children, whose father then kept a close eye on Bishop as he found another child.

"He then sees the suspect take the child and go into a little wooded area by the pool," Mankewich explained.

As the man's oldest son followed, the 11-year-old boy allegedly witnessed Bishop fondling the 8-year-old girl and touching himself. That's when lifeguards were called in to hold Bishop until deputies arrived.

"Turns out the guy had a video and audio system on him. He was actually video taping himself molesting the 8-year-old girl," Mankewich said.

Detectives have not looked at the entire tape, but believe Bishop rewound the tape, recording over the alleged crime. Now, investigators hope a search of his laptop computer, hotel room and home near Fort Myers will provide more evidence.

"This guy is a professional predator," Mankewich said. "This guy seeks out his victims. He knows what he's doing and I'm sure he's been getting away with it for a long time."

Disney did not want to comment, but said the Swan Hotel is technically not part of Disney, just on Disney property.

Deputies found a 25-caliber pistol in Bishop's car and plenty of video tapes in his home. They have not looked at the tapes yet and Bishop is being held with no bond in the Orange County jail.

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