A 68-year-old man widely known and loved as “Polk County Santa,” who has portrayed Santa Claus at major Florida Christmas parades, events, and photo shoots for nearly a decade, was arrested for allegedly trying to pay $200 to have sex with a 13-year-old girl. Thomas Allen Hicks of Lakeland was one of 19 suspects taken into custody during “Operation Child Protector VIII,” a multi-day, multi-agency undercover sting led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office that targeted individuals seeking to sexually exploit minors. Sheriff Grady Judd announced the arrest during a press conference on Wednesday. Judd held up Hicks’ booking photo as well as photographs of him in his Santa garb. “We arrested Santa Claus,” Sheriff Judd said. “I want all the children who are watching…
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