Police say they have arrested a man with the legal name Santa Claus, after the 75-year-old was busted during an undercover operation.
"The suspect initiated contact through a dating application with an undercover detective whom he believed to be a 15-year-old boy," Kenner PD posted. "During those conversations, he allegedly discussed engaging in sexual acts with the child and ultimately arranged to meet the juvenile in person in Kenner."
Detective say when Santa showed up, they took him to jail.
"His physical appearance indicates he does take on the persona of the Santa Clause which is alarming considering he was attempting to have sex with a boy."
Claus is one of 21 suspects identified in the sting operation.
"The operation was an overwhelming success," KPD said on social media.
The operation lead to:
- 11 Arrests
- 10 Outstanding Arrest Warrants
- 37 Criminal Charges
- 21 Individuals Facing Child Exploitation Charges
Charges include:
- Computer-Aided Solicitation of a Minor
- Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile
- Indecent Behavior - Grooming
KPD says these suspects "prey upon our most vulnerable members of society—our children."
Police Chief Keith Conley says all of the defendants are a danger to our youth and society.
"We preach daily about the vulnerability of our children on social media and gaming platforms and now we have arrested a person who dresses up as Santa Clause inviting parents to drop their young children in his lap for photo ops, this is a cautionary tale to parents and guardians” Conley said.
The other suspects are:
- Carlos Lopez-Reyes, 29, Kenner resident
- Christopher Fava, 45, Metairie resident
- Faustino Salanicsam, 57, Kenner resident
- Francisco Amaya-Paguada, 48, Baton Rouge resident
- Jamal Landry, 34, New Orleans resident
- Johnny Pierre, 31, New Orleans resident
- Jonathan Akers, 31, New Orleans resident
- Mario Herrera-Zeledon, 44, Kenner resident
- Melvin Walker, 43, Pascagoula, MS resident
- Michael Lousteau, 23, Luling resident
