A 68-year-old Santa Claus impersonator who entertained thousands of children in Central Florida now faces serious charges after authorities arrested him in an undercover child predator operation that netted 19 suspects.
Well-Known Santa Among Those Arrested
Thomas Hicks of Lakeland, Florida, worked as a popular Santa Claus impersonator throughout Polk County and Central Florida for years. Sheriff Grady Judd said thousands of children sat on Hicks’s lap believing he was Santa Claus. Authorities arrested him after an undercover operation that began April 20. Police charged Hicks with human trafficking, traveling to meet a minor, using a computer to seduce a child, and using a two-way communication device to commit a felony.
The Undercover Operation
An undercover detective posted an advertisement on a known prostitution website offering a fictional teenage daughter for commercial sex acts. Hicks allegedly responded to the advertisement and told the detective he would pay $200 to have sex with the girl. He described explicit sex acts he wanted to perform but claimed he would be gentle, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Hicks allegedly expressed hesitation about the offer, telling the detective he feared getting caught in a potential sting operation.
Authorities arrested Hicks after he arrived at a major retail store parking lot. Following his arrest, Hicks allegedly admitted to regularly visiting prostitution websites seeking prostitutes or companions despite being married for more than 50 years. He told investigators he felt intrigued by the teenage girl in the advertisement and kept returning to it, even while worrying about being caught. The suspect acknowledged he should not think about or have contact with the fictitious teenage girl, according to the arrest affidavit.
Sheriff’s Strong Response
Sheriff Judd delivered a blunt assessment of the case. He said Hicks will not be working as Santa Claus next year. The sheriff emphasized that thousands of children sat on this man’s lap thinking he was Santa Claus when he was actually a child sex predator. The operation resulted in arrests of 18 other suspects facing similar charges. Authorities filed a total of 85 felonies and eight misdemeanors against all suspects. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office conducted the undercover operation with assistance from various law enforcement agencies across the region.