A retired elementary schoolteacher from New Jersey, who had been working as a Santa Claus impersonator at various public and private events, has been arrested on multiple charges related to child sexual abuse material. Authorities were able to trace illegal uploads back to him, according to statements from prosecutors.

On Monday, Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey’s office revealed that 64-year-old Mark Paulino faces serious charges, including second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse material, second-degree possession of such material with the intent to distribute, and third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material. He is also charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

The charges against Paulino, who previously taught in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, are the result of an investigation led by the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit within the prosecutor’s office. This unit focuses on combating online child exploitation.

The investigation kicked off on December 4, when detectives received a tip from the New Jersey State Police ICAC Unit. They were informed about an individual residing in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, who had uploaded several files suspected to be child sexual abuse material to the internet.

Mark Paulino was subsequently arrested after investigators confirmed that he was indeed in possession of child sexual abuse material. The former teacher’s actions, now as a Santa impersonator, have drawn significant attention due to the nature of his alleged crimes. (Image credit: Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office)

An investigation followed, and investigators identified Paulino as a person of interest.

According to the prosecutor, Paulino said on his website that he recently retired from the Hamilton Township School District as an elementary schoolteacher and now works as a Santa character available for photographs and private, organizational and corporate events.

Because of his engagement with young children in that role, detectives “worked around the clock” to obtain a warrant to search Paulino’s residence.

A New Jersey man who impersonates Santa faces serious charges after he was allegedly found to be in possession of child sexual abuse materials. (Paul Chinn/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Investigators executed the warrant at his Hamilton Township home on Friday with assistance from the prosecutor’s Economic Crime, Cyber Crimes and Domestic Violence units, as well as the Hamilton Police SWAT team.

Detectives seized multiple pieces of evidence during the search, but details were not released because the investigation is open and ongoing.

Detectives seized multiple pieces of evidence from Paulino’s residence. (iStock)

Prosecutors have filed a motion to detain Paulino pending trial.

Paulino has since been taken into custody without incident, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors encourage anyone with information about the investigation to contact the ICAC Unit at (609) 989-6568 or submit an anonymous tip at mercercountyprosecutor.com.

Marbrey also encouraged anyone with information about “information about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation and sexual abuse of children” to report it to the ICAC Unit or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at (888) 648-6007.