NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A New Orleans man named Santa Claus has been arrested by Kenner Police as part of an alleged child predator undercover sting operation.
The department announced the arrest Monday (June 29) in a social media post, saying the 75-year-old Claus was among 11 suspects arrested and 10 others still wanted on child exploitation accusations after a weekend operation by its Cyber Crimes unit.
“All these defendants are a danger to our youth and society,” Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley said. “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.”
Kenner Police said the suspect “who has obtained the legal name of Santa Claus” was arrested after using a dating application to contact what he believed to be a 15-year-old boy, but who actually was an undercover detective.
The investigators allege Claus discussed engaging in sexual acts with the child and arranged to meet the juvenile in person at a location in Kenner. When Claus arrived for the meeting, he was arrested by detectives without incident, the department said.
Claus faces allegations of indecent behavior with a juvenile and computer-aided solicitation of a minor, the department said.
Others arrested in the same child exploitation operation include:
- Jonathan Akers, 31, of New Orleans
- Francisco Amaya-Paguada, 48, of Baton Rouge
- Christopher Fava, 45, of Metairie
- Mario Herrera-Zeledon, 44, of Kenner
- Jamal Landry, 34, of New Orleans
- Carlos Lopez-Reyes, 29, of Kenner
- Michael Lousteau, 23, of Luling
- Johnny Pierre, 31, of New Orleans
- Faustino Salanicsam, 57, of Kenner
- Melvin Walker, 43, of Pascagoula, Miss.
The allegations against those arrestees were not detailed.
“Anyone who uses the anonymity of the internet to exploit children should understand one thing—we are there too. Our investigators will continue to identify these predators, build strong cases, and bring them to justice before they have the opportunity to victimize a child.”
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