‘Santa Claus’ arrested in Central Florida child sex sting, sheriff says

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – On Wednesday, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd took to the podium to announce the results of a recent undercover sting — including the arrest of a local “Santa Claus.”

In a release, the sheriff’s office explained that the weeklong sting — dubbed “Operation Child Predator VIII” — focused primarily on catching child predators.

“We started on Monday, April 20, and by Sunday, April 26, we wrapped it up,” Judd said during a news conference. “We arrested 19 people, 16 of which traveled, thinking they were going to engage children in illegal sex. We call them child deviants. Child predators. Pedophiles.”

[Watch the full news briefing below]

In addition, deputies said that three suspects sent nude photos to undercover detectives, and five suspects were from outside of Polk County. Meanwhile, seven of the suspects are married, and three are military veterans.

But one of these suspects was identified as 68-year-old Thomas Hicks, who deputies said works in marketing for Tri-County Behavioral Health and plays “Santa Claus” every year at several different events.

“Hicks sent social media messages to an undercover detective who was posing as a 13-year-old girl’s guardian,” the release reads. “He told the UC that he would pay $200 to have sex with the girl and was explicit in describing the sex acts he wanted to perform on the child, but said that he would be gentle.”

Furthermore, detectives said Hicks told them he’s been married over 50 years, but he regularly goes onto known “prostitution sites” looking for prostitutes or companions.

“We arrested Santa Claus,” Judd stated. “Now, I want all the children who may be watching this to understand: it’s not the real Santa Claus. OK?”

That said, Judd claimed that Hicks was well known across Polk County and much of Central Florida as a “for-hire Santa Claus.”

“In fact, one of our NGOs that was working with us said, ‘Oh my goodness, I’ve already booked him for a party next Christmas!’” Judd continued. “Nah. That’s over with.”

Now, Hicks faces charges of human trafficking, traveling to meet a minor, use of a computer to seduce a child, and use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony.

Meanwhile, the other suspects arrested in this sting were identified as follows: