Kenner police say their latest online predator sting ended with 11 arrests and one surreal twist: a 75-year-old New Orleans man who legally changed his name to "Santa Claus" is now sitting in jail with no bond.
Investigators allege the man arranged to meet someone he believed was a 15-year-old and engaged in explicit online conversations with what was actually an undercover detective. Police say he showed up for the meetup dressed on theme, in a red shirt, red jacket and red pants, with a bushy white beard to complete the look.
The weekend operation wrapped up June 26. The man known as "Santa Claus" was booked with computer-aided solicitation of a minor and indecent behavior with a juvenile and is being held without bail at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna, according to NOLA.com. Investigators told the outlet that booking records list him as a New Orleans resident who legally took the Christmas character’s name. Police said they recovered images indicating he has worked at some point as a "Santa Claus."
Kenner's Internet Crimes Against Children Work
Police say this arrest is part of Kenner’s ramped-up Internet Crimes Against Children effort. Just last month, a longer-term undercover operation led to a separate round of multi-state arrests tied to online grooming, as reported in a multi-state cyber trap. Officials say the department has been building regional partnerships and expanding its digital forensics tools so detectives can chase online tips and run decoy stings.
Who Police Booked
In addition to the man who calls himself Santa, Kenner police say the weekend sting resulted in 10 other arrests. Among those booked were Francisco Amaya Paguada, 48, of Baton Rouge; Carlos Lopez-Reyes, 29, of Kenner; Johnny Pierre, 31, of New Orleans; Faustino Salanicsam, 57, of Kenner; Jamal Landry, 34, of New Orleans; Christopher Fava, 45, of Metairie; Mario Herrera Zeledon, 44, of Kenner; Michael Lousteau, 23, of Luling; Melvin Walker, 43, of Pascagoula, Miss.; and Jonathan Akers, 31, of New Orleans, according to NOLA.com. Kenner police said the other suspects face similar accusations, including indecent behavior and online grooming of minors.
How the Sting Unfolded
Detectives say they went undercover online, posing as a juvenile account to flag adults who tried to solicit or meet minors for sex. Once investigators believed they had enough to set up a controlled meetup, officers arranged specific locations and moved in when suspects arrived. Police describe the approach as a standard Internet Crimes Against Children decoy tactic that takes significant time and staffing but is key to building cases and keeping real kids away from would-be offenders.
What the Charges Mean
Under Louisiana law, computer-aided solicitation of a minor is defined in La. R.S. 14:81.3 and requires sex-offender registration, and courts can restrict a defendant’s internet access when the web was used in the offense, according to legis.la.gov. The related charge of indecent behavior with juveniles, listed at La. R.S. 14:81, is a felony that carries possible fines and up to seven years in prison, per Justia.
What Happens Next
Kenner police say the investigation is still active and that more charges could be filed as digital evidence is processed. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the Kenner Police Department, which lists non-emergency numbers and tip submission options on the city’s communications pages.
