Southeast Texas 'Santa' sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison for distributing child pornography

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A Corpus Christi man who worked as a Santa Claus impersonator for 15 years was sentenced Friday to nearly 20 years in federal prison for distributing child pornography.

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

Reynaldo Ramirez, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos to 235 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by 20 years of supervised release; he must also and register as a sex offender. Ramirez pleaded guilty to the charges in May.

At the hearing, an HSI special agent described the videos and images of child pornography Ramirez possessed, many of which depicted the sexual exploitation of infants, bondage and bestiality. The special agent also testified that Ramirez had admitted to sexually assaulting a 5-year-old child. The child’s mother also addressed the court and described the danger Ramirez posed to children.

This investigation began after a detective with the CCPD was able to successfully download various files containing child pornography from an Internet Protocol address that was associated with Ramirez. As a result of the cyber aspect, HSI was contacted to assist in this investigation.

In December 2015, authorities executed a search warrant at Ramirez’s residence, at which time they seized several digital devices and discovered a Santa Claus costume. Upon questioning, Ramirez stated he had performed as Santa Claus for the past 15 years throughout the South Texas area. Special agents also discovered several gifts addressed to children.

Ramirez admitted 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 was arrested on the federal charges in December 2015; he has been in custody since that time where he will remain pending his transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Assistant U.S. 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.