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The holiday spirit was interrupted for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office when they apprehended a local Santa Claus in a sting operation focused on child sexual predators.
Thomas Allen Hicks, a well-known part-time Santa in Florida, is now facing several charges, including human trafficking and using a computer to solicit a parent or guardian. Authorities allege that he offered $200 to a man to engage in sexual acts with the man’s 13-year-old daughter, according to an affidavit obtained by Oxygen.
“Thousands and thousands and thousands of children have sat on this guy’s lap thinking he was Santa Claus,” Sheriff Grady Judd remarked during a press conference, “when in fact what he was was a child sex predator.”
This arrest was part of a weeklong undercover operation, aptly named “Polk around and find out: Child Predator VIII,” which ran from April 20 to April 26. The operation was designed to identify and capture child sexual predators.
“We apprehended 19 individuals, 16 of whom believed they were going to meet and engage in illegal sexual activities with children,” Sheriff Judd stated. “These individuals are child deviants, predators, pedophiles—there aren’t enough negative terms to describe the actions they took, the words they spoke, and the images they sent, wrongly believing they were communicating with children.”
Florida Santa Claus Thomas Hicks Accused of Solicitation
The investigation into Hicks began when he reportedly contacted an undercover officer on April 20 after encountering an advertisement on a well-known prostitution website. The ad featured digitally altered images of a Marion County Digital Forensic Technician, who had agreed to impersonate a young girl.
“Hi, saw your ad,” the suspect allegedly wrote, per the affidavit. “Where is your incall located? How much do you charge?”
The undercover officer, posing as the girl’s father, went on to explain that the girl was “not super experienced,” but that the family needed rent money.
“I’m an older man,” Hicks allegedly replied, “and am very gentle.”
When the “father” explained that the teen was only 13, the suspect allegedly replied, “Wow, I didn’t know she was so young!” before adding, “I liked her looks.”
Throughout the conversation, Hicks allegedly voiced concerns that the exchange was “a setup,” but continued to engage in the conversation, per the affidavit, agreeing on a rate of $200. He allegedly assured that he “would never hurt anyone” and described the girl as “a real cutie,” according to the court records.
“I’m sure there are lot of crazies out there,” he wrote at one point, per the affidavit. “My goal in being with a girl is to give her pleasure.”
The conversation continued the next day and Hicks allegedly shared a phone call with the girl.
“Throughout the duration of the conversation, the suspect admits to having mentioned ‘oral,’” authorities wrote in the affidavit, “however, he wishes to interact with the juvenile before committing to a sexual act to ensure the ‘vibe’ is right.”
That same day, investigators took Hicks into custody as he was sitting in his car in a parking lot. He was found with $382 in cash, including two $100 bills, authorities said.
Investigators learned that Hicks worked in marketing for the Tri County Behavioral Health in Polk County and played Santa every year at major Christmas events in the area.
“The suspect advised he has been married to his wife for over fifty (50) years, however, he regularly goes onto known prostitution sites to look for ‘hookers’ and ‘companions,’” authorities alleged in the affidavit. “The suspect came across an ad on a prostitution site called SkipTheGames and felt attracted to the female displayed on the ad because she was petite.”
Hicks allegedly told officers that although he was worried it could be part of a sting, he “kept coming back because he was intrigued,” the court records revealed.
He allegedly told investigators that he was not sure he would have had sex with the girl, even if she was real.
Thomas Hicks Was “Well Regarded” Santa Claus, Sheriff Says
According to Judd, Hicks—who was also a preacher—was “well regarded” in the community and had taken on the role of Santa Claus at the Lakeland Christmas parade for years.
“We arrested Santa Claus,” he announced at the press conference. “Now, I want all the children that may be watching this to understand it’s not the real Santa Claus.”
Judd said that he had even posed with the man for a picture at a rotary meeting several weeks before the arrest.
“Zero remorse when he was arrested,” Judd said during the press conference. “The only thing he was concerned about was his reputation as Santa Claus.”
Hicks is also facing charges of unlawful use of a 2-way communication device and traveling to meet a minor after use of a computer, authorities said.
He’s currently being held at the Polk County Jail. It’s unclear whether he has retained an attorney.