Santa Claus arrested in US child predator sting

A 75-year-old New Orleans man who legally changed his name to Santa Claus has been arrested after allegedly trying to meet someone he believed was a 15-year-old boy to engage in sexual acts, police have announced.

According to investigators, he contacted the supposed teenager through a dating app before arranging an in-person meeting during an undercover operation in the city’s suburbs.

The Kenner Police Department announced the arrest on Monday after its cyber crimes unit carried out a weekend sting targeting suspected online child predators. Claus, formerly known as George Quigley, reportedly exchanged sexually explicit messages with an undercover detective posing as a 15-year-old boy, and discussed “engaging in sexual acts” before arranging to meet the juvenile in Kenner.

According to police, detectives arrested Claus without incident when he arrived at the agreed meeting place. He was charged with computer-aided solicitation of a minor and indecent behavior with a juvenile. Jail records cited by US media show he was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, with bonds set at $20,000 on each charge.

Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley told reporters that investigators found photographs of the man dressed as Santa Claus and said he had legally changed his name after moving from Texas to Louisiana.

Claus was among 11 suspects arrested in the sting, while warrants have been issued for 10 others. Police said that the operation targeted adults allegedly seeking sexual contact with minors online.

“All these defendants are a danger to our youth and society,” Conley said in a statement. “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 Claus, inviting parents to drop their young children in his lap for photo ops. This is a cautionary tale to parents and guardians.”

Claus’ arrest comes two months after a Florida man known for portraying Santa Claus at community Christmas events was accused of trying to meet a person he believed was a 13-year-old-girl during another undercover child predator sting.