By Erika Hernandez
A man identified as Thomas Allen Hicks, 68, was arrested in Polk County, Floridaas part of an undercover operation aimed at combating sexual crimes against minors.
According to the sheriff’s office, Hicks responded to an ad posted by an undercover detective posing as a father offering sexual access to his 13-year-old daughter.. According to authorities, the suspect agreed to pay $200 and described sexual acts he intended to perform.
Profile of the accused and scope of the case
Hicks technology known for serving as a professional Santa Claus impersonator for yearseven participating in public events such as Christmas parades in Lakeland. He had also worked as a preacher for more than four decades.
Sheriff Grady Judd noted that thousands of children had contact with the defendant in his festive role, which has generated concern in the community.
Besides, The detainee worked at a mental health and substance abuse clinic, from where he was fired after his arrest. The institution indicated that it did not have access to information about minors during its employment.
Charges and operation “Operation Child Protector VIII”
The defendant faces multiple charges, including human trafficking, attempted meeting with a minor, use of technology to seduce a minor and use of communication devices to commit a crime.
Hicks is one of 19 arrested in the operation called “Operation Child Protector VIII.”which involved several agencies in different counties in Florida.
According to the authorities, 16 of those arrested attempted to have sexual encounters with minors, while others sent explicit material to undercover agents.
The suspect admitted to being attracted to the fictitious minor in the advertisement and decided to try to meet him despite suspecting that it could be a police trap.
The authorities also indicated that The man, married for more than 50 years, acknowledged having requested prostitution services in the past.
In total, those arrested in the operation collectively face 85 felony charges and eight misdemeanor charges.
Keep reading:
–Four adults arrested for abusing nine children in their Florida home
–Plane crashes in Florida park after grazing a tree and a car: seven people hospitalized
–Tragedy at sailing camp in Miami: two children dead after collision between barge and sailboat
