Retired New Jersey Teacher Who Portrayed Santa Arrested on Child Abuse Material Charges
HAMILTON, N.J. — A retired elementary schoolteacher from New Jersey who worked as a Santa Claus impersonator at public and private events has been arrested on serious child sexual abuse material charges, authorities announced Monday. Mark Paulino, 64, was taken into custody following an investigation that linked multiple illicit uploads of child sexual abuse material to his residence in Hamilton Township, Mercer County.
Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey’s office revealed that Paulino faces several charges, including second-degree distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material with intent to distribute, third-degree possession of such material, and endangering the welfare of a child. These charges stem from a probe led by the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit, which received a tip from the New Jersey State Police ICAC Unit on December 4 regarding suspicious online activity originating from Paulino’s home.
Following the initial alert, investigators worked diligently to identify the individual responsible for uploading the illicit content. Paulino was identified as a person of interest after detectives discovered that he had recently retired from the Hamilton Township School District, where he served as an elementary schoolteacher. In addition to his teaching career, Paulino’s website advertised his services as a Santa character for photographs and private, organizational, and corporate events, which raised concerns given his direct engagement with children.
Due to the nature of his interactions with minors, law enforcement officials expedited efforts to obtain a search warrant for Paulino’s residence. On Friday, with assistance from the prosecutor’s Economic Crime, Cyber Crimes, and Domestic Violence units, as well as the Hamilton Police SWAT team, authorities executed the warrant. Multiple pieces of evidence were seized during the search, though details remain confidential as the investigation continues.
Prosecutors have filed a motion to detain Paulino pending further legal proceedings. The case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat online child exploitation. The Department of Justice’s ICAC program plays a crucial role in coordinating investigations and prosecutions related to child exploitation on the internet.
Experts emphasize the importance of vigilance in monitoring online activity to protect children from exploitation. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children provides resources and a cyber tipline for reporting suspected abuse or exploitation.
This arrest comes amid heightened awareness of the risks posed by individuals who exploit roles involving children to facilitate criminal behavior. Authorities continue to urge communities to report suspicious conduct to law enforcement promptly.
For more information on child protection efforts and related resources, visit the Children’s Bureau under the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Leave a Reply