(FL)
ChurchLeaders [Colorado Springs CO]
May 7, 2026
By Dale Chamberlain
For more than a decade, Thomas Hicks has played Santa Claus in the Lakeland, Florida, Christmas parade. However, Hicks, a retired pastor, will likely spend this Christmas behind bars after being arrested in a sting operation targeting men seeking to pay to sexually abuse children.
Editor’s note: This article refers to disturbing reports of child sex abuse, which some readers might find triggering.
Hicks, 68, is accused of corresponding online with someone he believed to be the father of a 13-year-old girl and agreeing to pay $200 to have sex with the child. Hicks was arrested when he arrived at the agreed-upon location.
He allegedly had two $100 bills in his wallet.
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Hicks retired from First Alliance Church in Lakeland in 2022, the church said in a social media statement after Hicks was arrested.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, “thousands and thousands and thousands of children have sat on this guy’s lap thinking he was Santa Claus, when in fact what he was, was a child sex predator.”
Judd also indicated that Hicks had been a pastor for four decades.
According to the arrest report, Hicks messaged an undercover investigator after finding an ad on a website known for prostitution. The photos in the ad “were age-regressed, which depicted a white female with brown hair and soft features.” Detectives said that the photos were “created using a photo editing software [that] makes the subject of the image appear youthful in appearance.”
After allegedly making contact with an undercover investigator, Hicks was informed that the child he was seeking to pay for sex with was 13 years old.
“Wow, I didn’t know she was so young!” Hicks allegedly replied. “I like her looks.”
In the correspondence, messages allegedly from Hicks emphasized that he was “older,” “gentle,” and seeking “to give her pleasure.”
Upon being detained and questioned, detectives said, Hicks “advised he was aware the conversation was sexual in nature, and reiterated multiple times that he was worried this could be a ‘sting,’ but he kept coming back because he was intrigued.”
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“The suspect stated he was not sure if he would have tried to continue to have sex with the child victim if she was real,” detectives added. “Throughout the duration of the interview, the suspect remained calm, and seemingly only showed an increase in emotion when prompted about his wife or his reputation.”
According to the report, Hicks has been married for more than 50 years.
During a press conference, Sheriff Judd said that 19 people were arrested during the one-week investigation.
Judd showed reporters pictures of Hicks dressed as Santa Claus and said, “You know, Christmastime is important. We like Christmas…And we arrested Santa Claus.”
Speaking of Hicks, Judd added, “This is a guy who is well-known in Polk County and Central Florida and Lakeland as a for-hire Santa Claus. In fact, one of our NGOs that was working with us said, ‘Oh my goodness. I’ve already booked him for a party next Christmas.’”
“That’s over with,” Judd quipped. “But it’s scary, because this guy was well-respected in the community.” Judd even showed reporters a picture of himself and Hicks, which was taken recently at a Rotary meeting. Judd said, “He was very active in our community.”
Judd accused Hicks of showing “zero remorse when he was arrested.” Judd added, “The only thing he was concerned about was his reputation as Santa Claus.”
“We will do our best to keep him locked up in prison for the rest of his life,” said Judd.
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Hicks has been charged with sex trafficking. If convicted, he could face a life sentence.
In a statement on Facebook, First Alliance Church, where Hicks formerly pastored, said, “Tom Hicks has not been an attendee here or pastor since the Fall of 2022. It brings great shock, pain, and sadness as we discover what has unfolded this week.”
“This news has been a surprise to us just as it has been to this community and beyond,” the statement continued. “This outrageous & horrible situation is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not what He, God, condones in our lives.”
“We are broken for our community and thankful for the work of the authorities in making Polk County a better place for those we are called to protect and care for,” the statement concluded.
Hicks was pastor of the church from 2009 to 2022 before retiring, according to The Roys Report.
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Hicks is being held without bond. He is set to appear in court on May 26.