After being convicted of a sex crime, you will likely be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder your life. A lifelong obligation like this is public record, and requires you to list your current employment status and imposes stricter restrictions on where you can work and reside.
A Santa Claus for hire is facing serious charges after deputies say the convicted sex offender failed to notify the state of his new employment status.
Orange County Sheriff’s deputies arrested the 48-year-old man on Tuesday after he posted a Craigslist ad willing to be paid to dress up as Santa for Christmas parties.
The ad had a photo of him dressed as Santa with a child on his lap, according to an arrest report.
The man was convicted of sexual battery on a child in 1993 and is required by law to update his sex offender registration with any employment. He is also required to provide his email and any other internet identifiers on his sex offender registration.
Undercover agents contacted the man to play Santa for an office party at Rose Place Park in the Orlando area on Tuesday.
When the man showed up, he was dressed in a Santa suit, complete with red stocking cap and black boots, deputies say.
Agents gave him $80 before arresting him. He is being charged with failing to report his business nor his email and internet identifiers on his sex offender registration.
Investigators said the man told them he did not know he had to update his registration for playing Santa.
He faced a judge Wednesday and was being held on $2,000 bond.
The man was not an employee for the company Santa For Hire.
If you have been arrested for a sex crime, or have already been convicted of a sex crime and want to make sure you have not violated any of Florida’s registration laws, our Florida Sex Crimes Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are here to help. Be sure to call us at 866-608-5529 or contact us online before making any statements to police that could further hinder your case.