ORLANDO, Fla. -- A 60-year-old man was found guilty on Tuesday of groping a woman while she was in costume as Minnie Mouse at Walt Disney World. John Moyer, who is a grandfather, was sentenced to 180 days of probation, 50 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine. He also must undergo a mental health evaluation and write a letter of apology to the victim.
After the verdict, Moyer continued to maintain his innocence in court.
"I'm not guilty," Moyer told the judge. "I haven't, as the prosecution says, molested or grabbed -- maybe unintentionally touched, but that's as far as it went.
Moyer was charged with misdemeanor battery in June after being accused of touching the woman's chest and buttocks in the Toontown area of the Magic Kingdom.
Prosecutors said during the trial that photographs show the Disney cast member pushing Moyer's hands away from her after he touched her.
"It doesn't matter she was grabbed. She's just a mouse," prosecutor David Bear said, arguing against the defense. "It's not just a mouse. It's a person."
Moyer's attorney argued that the photos only prove his client was having fun while on vacation from Pennsylvania with his family.
The woman playing Minnie Mouse said she did not yell for help because she feared that she could lose her job for being out of character. She did report the incident after Moyer left the area, according to investigators.
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