(Lakeland, FL) - A Florida man who dresses up as Santa Claus was arrested for human trafficking as part of a child sex sting.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says 68-year-old Thomas Hicks, who played Santa at the Lakeland Christmas parade for the past decade, was one of 19 people arrested as part of an undercover sex sting.
Judd says Hicks offered to pay $200 to have sex with a 13-year-old girl and was among "those who prey upon and travel to meet children for unlawful sexual activity."
Hicks was the oldest suspect arrested in "Operation Child Protector VIII," according to Judd. The youngest was 18.
The sheriff said Hicks was charged with several felonies including human trafficking, traveling to meet a minor, and use of computer to seduce a child.
According to Judd, Hicks has been married over 50 years, but regularly trolls "prostitution sites" looking companions.
The scary part according to Judd is that "Hicks is in marketing for Tri-County Behavioral Health in Polk County and plays Santa Claus every year at several different events."