Southeast Texas 'Santa Claus' convicted of distributing child pornography

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Corpus Christi man, who worked as a long-time Santa Claus during the Christmas holidays, pleaded guilty Monday to distributing child pornography.

This guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson, Southern District of Texas. This investigation was conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Reynaldo Ramirez, 38, was arrested on a criminal complaint Dec. 24, 2015. The May 2 court heard that the case began when a CCPD detective was able to successfully download various files containing child pornography from an Internet Protocol address that was associated with Ramirez.  HSI was contacted to assist in this investigation.

In December 2015, authorities executed a search warrant at Ramirez’s residence, where several digital devices were seized. While conducting the search, authorities located a Santa Claus costume in Ramirez’s residence. When questioned about the outfit, Ramirez stated he had performed as Santa Claus for the past 15 years throughout the South Texas area.

Ramirez admitted that he had been viewing child pornography for about six years. He told authorities he had downloaded more than 1,000 images of child pornography ranging in ages from toddlers to pre-teens. Ramirez also admitted to sexually assaulting a 4-year-old child.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos accepted Ramirez’s guilty plea and set his sentencing for Aug. 10. At that time, Ramirez faces a minimum of five and up to 20 years in federal prison, and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.  After he completes any prison term imposed, Ramirez also faces a maximum of life on supervised release during which time the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect children and prohibit him using the Internet.

Ramirez has been in custody since his arrest where he will remain pending his sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hugo R. Martinez, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 14,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2015, nearly 2,400 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.