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A man from Polk County, Florida, known for frequently portraying Santa Claus, has been arrested following allegations that he attempted to engage in sexual activities with a minor.
Thomas Allen Hicks, aged 68, was among 19 individuals apprehended as part of an investigation targeting those allegedly seeking to travel for illicit encounters with minors, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
According to arrest records, Hicks, who often dons the Santa suit, allegedly used a prostitution website with the intent of arranging a meeting with what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, supposedly being made available by her father.
However, the supposed encounter was a sting operation orchestrated by an undercover deputy. Communications between Hicks and the deputy revealed that Hicks allegedly offered $200 in exchange for the encounter with the young girl, as stated by the sheriff’s office.
An undercover deputy was behind the fake ad, though, police said. As Hicks began messaging the deputy, the sheriff’s office said, he told the deputy he would pay $200 to have sex with the girl.
Later in their conversation, Hicks allegedly revealed his location to “meet up,” where he was caught and cuffed.
“I talked to the real Santa Claus today, and he’s pissed,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said during a news conference, FOX 13 reported. “He said it’s people like that who give me a bad reputation and I spend all this time going all around the world giving presents to all the good boys and girls. Sheriff, I’m glad you got him locked up.
“You can’t fix these people. They’ve got a hitch in their giddy up. Their elevator don’t go all the way to the top. It stops at P – pedophile floor. It stops at P – predator floor. It stops at C – Child predator floor. These are dangerous people.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Hicks’s attorney for comment.
Prior to his arrest, Hicks worked for Tri-County Human Services, a behavioral health clinic. He has since been fired.
Thomas Allen Hicks poses for a selfie dressed as Santa. (@PolkCoSheriff/X)
“Tri-County Human Services is aware that Tom Hicks, Marketing Manager, was recently arrested in connection with allegations of inappropriate conduct. Tri-County took immediate and appropriate action to terminate this individual’s employment to ensure the continued safety and well-being of our staff and the individuals we serve each day,” the company said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“As this is now an ongoing legal matter, management will not be commenting on the specific details or unverified information related to this situation. Tri-County supports the Polk County Sheriff’s office in their investigation and activities to maintain the safety of the community. Mr. Hicks did not have access to client files or their electronic health record and was not able to gather any data related to child information at any time during his employe. Tri-County Human Services, its Board, and management team remains fully committed to maintaining a safe, professional, and respectful workplace for all staff, clients, and community partners.”
Sheriff Grady Judd presents results from a multi-agency sting for Operation Child Protector VIII. (@PolkCoSheriff/X)
As for the rest of the suspects, the PCSO said the multi-day joint operation brought about 85 felony charges and eight misdemeanors total.
“It never ceases to amaze us how many suspects travel to have sex with who they believe are children, especially here in Polk County where we proactively investigate and arrest those who prey on children. Speaking of believing, we even arrested Santa Claus during this undercover operation.”
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