A man who legally changed his name to Santa Claus has been arrested in New Orleans, Louisiana, after he allegedly used a dating app to communicate with someone he believed was a 15-year-old boy.
The Kenner Police Department in Louisiana confirmed the news in a press release shared via Facebook on Monday, June 29.
“The suspect initiated contact through a dating application with an undercover detective whom he believed to be a 15-year-old boy,” the message read. “During those conversations, he allegedly discussed engaging in sexual acts with the child and ultimately arranged to meet the juvenile in person in Kenner.”
Claus, 75, resembles the Christmas icon with his long white beard, and he was dressed in all red in the photo shared by the Kenner Police Department. He was one of 11 people arrested in the child exploitation operation and was charged with computer-aided solicitation of a minor and indecent behavior with a juvenile.
When he “arrived at the predetermined meeting location, detectives took him into custody without incident,” the press release continued. “His physical appearance indicates he does take on the persona of the Santa Clause [sic] which is alarming considering he was attempting to have sex with a boy.”
Kenneth A. Conley , Kenner Police Chief, also gave a statement regarding the multiple arrests.
“All these defendants are a danger to our youth and society,” Conley said, per Facebook. “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 Clause [sic] inviting parents to drop their young children in his lap for photo ops, this is a cautionary tale to parents and guardians.”
According to a report from The Guardian , Claus remained in custody as of Tuesday morning. It was not immediately clear whether bail had been set.
Weeks after an explosive report claimed that Phil Mickelson was accused by a female golf club employee of making inappropriate...
Tom Selleck ‘Digging His Own Grave’ With Unhealthy Lifestyle Choices After ‘Blue Bloods’ Cancellation
Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster at Odds Over Australia Move: ‘Not a Happy Relationship at the Moment’
Megyn Kelly Rants About Immigrants After Supreme Court Sides With Trump Administration: ‘Go Home’
Melania Trump Insisted She Wasn’t With President Trump for His Money in Resurfaced 1999 Interview
Nurse, 41, Dies in Operating Room While Getting Injections Removed From Her Buttocks
Lifeguard Vehicle Runs Over 20-Year-Old Woman Lying in the Sand at California Beach
‘Most Beautiful Girl in the World’ Thylane Blondeau Married 3 Months After Proposal
Wisconsin Student Says She Was Bullied After Speaking Out About Transgender Bathroom Policy
President Trump’s Daughter Tiffany Spotted Out With Designer Bag Worth About $30,000
Rapper Skepta Says It Makes Him ‘Sick’ How Men ‘Try to Use’ Kim Kardashian’s Daughter North West, 13
Sisters Accused of Killing Mom of 5, One Seen ‘Smiling, Goofing Off Like Nothing Happened’ During Arrest
Influencer Grandma, 96, Says Nursing Home Threatened to Kick Her Out For Partying: ‘You Can’t Stop Me’