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Case index

Takedown with Chris Hansen · Polk County, Florida investigations

Thomas Hicks

Thomas Hicks was charged following the Polk County investigation. He entered a not-guilty plea.

Photo: To Catch a Predator Wiki

Outcome
Charged
Evidence
Attributed reporting
Jurisdiction
Polk County, Florida
Encounter
Not established
Case number
Not established

Personal details

Born
September 4, 1957
Occupation
  • Santa performer
  • Clergy member
  • Marketing executive
Marital status
Married
Height
5′10″
Hair
White
Eyes
Blue

Charges & sentence

  1. Sale or transfer of custody of a minor for human trafficking

    Pending85

  2. Using a two-way communication device to commit a felony

    Pending8

  3. Traveling after soliciting a guardian for sexual conduct with a minor

    Pending8

  4. Computer solicitation of a guardian for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor

    Dismissed8

Sentence

A verified sentence has not yet been added.

Attributed to the sources below. Consult the original record for full terms.

Case records

Hansen investigationCharged

  1. Sale or transfer of custody of a minor for human trafficking

    Pending85

  2. Using a two-way communication device to commit a felony

    Pending8

  3. Traveling after soliciting a guardian for sexual conduct with a minor

    Pending8

  4. Computer solicitation of a guardian for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor

    Dismissed8

Reviewed sting-related legal outcome. The article says awaiting sentencing immediately after reporting a not-guilty plea, with no intervening conviction. Do not infer conviction or sentence from that inconsistent phrase. One listed charge was dropped, not the entire prosecution.

Sources 85

Case narrative

Sting

Thomas tells the detective that he is sitting in the parking lot, which was not the location he was indented to go to. Surveillance teams, as well as Chris Hansen and the Sherriff's go over to the meeting spot to apprehend Thomas. Upon arriving they find Thomas sitting on a bench, and his Red Hyundai Santa Fe sitting in the wooded area. They swoop in and arrest Thomas, pinning him to the ground.

Thomas had $382 in his wallet, 2 $100 bills, for the father.

Aftermath

On April 22nd, 2026 Thomas was taken to the Polk County Sheriff's Office Processing Center and charged with the following:

Special Message from Santa and Mrs. Claus: It is with great sadness that we must let you know that we will not be able to visit with you this Christmas season due to unforeseen circumstances. We are officially retiring from the North Pole business. We know that this information puts you in a position to have to find another Santa. If you would like for us to recommend someone, please let us know. Christmas blessings, Mrs. Claus for Santa

On April 27th Thomas entered a plea of NOT GUILTY , and is awaiting his sentencing.

Trivia

Thomas is tied with Robert Lyons as one of the oldest predators caught, as Lyons was also sixty-eight when he was arrested in Riverside, California in 2006.

Community-written, from the To Catch a Predator Wiki. Not independently verified, and it does not establish charges or court outcomes.

Thomas Hicks, To Catch a Predator Wiki contributors; see revision and history links. · CC-BY-SA

Media

Sources

  1. 1Ep. 10 - Bad SantaOriginal publisher · TruBlu · Checked Oct 23, 2026Publisher catalog: Season 18, episode 10. Playback availability was not tested.
  2. 2Full Episode - Bad Santa - Takedown with Chris HansenOriginal publisher · TruBlu Streaming Network · Published May 19, 2026 · Checked Oct 23, 2026Official TruBlu YouTube upload. The public publisher listing or watch page marks this upload as members-only; subscriber playback was not tested. Metadata provides a media association only, not independent proof of legal allegations or outcomes.
  3. 3Chris Hansen Partial Episode - Takedown - Bad Santa - S18, E10Original publisher · TruBlu Streaming Network · Published May 21, 2026 · Checked Oct 23, 2026Official TruBlu YouTube upload. The public player metadata reported this upload playable without channel membership. Metadata provides a media association only, not independent proof of legal allegations or outcomes.
  4. 4Chris Hansen vs. Bad Santa (Full) - Takedown - Season 18, Episode 10Original publisher · TruBlu Streaming Network · Published May 25, 2026 · Checked Oct 23, 2026Official TruBlu YouTube catalog entry. The saved watch metadata requires age confirmation; access and playback were not verified. The person association uses the cited publisher episode metadata and named episode index; no legal facts are inferred.
  5. 5Man who plays Santa in Polk Christmas events arrested in human trafficking stingSecondary reporting · Tampa Bay 28 · Checked Oct 23, 2026Report identifies Thomas Hicks, 68, of Winter Haven, arrested April 21, 2026 in Operation Child Protector VIII and charged with human trafficking. It does not report a conviction or sentence.
  6. 6Thomas Hicks (community wiki)Community wiki · unverified · To Catch a Predator Wiki contributors · Updated Sep 5, 2026 · Checked Oct 23, 2026Attributed community article. Revision date describes the article update, not a court or sting event. Full infobox, narrative sections, references and assets are retained in the private archive.
  7. 7Thomas Hicks: occupation informationCommunity wiki · unverified · To Catch a Predator Wiki contributors · Updated Sep 5, 2026 · Checked Oct 23, 2026The profile infobox lists these occupations. Undated roles do not establish current employment.
  8. 9Takedown with Chris Hansen episode listCommunity wiki · unverified · To Catch a Predator Wiki contributors · Updated Oct 22, 2026 · Checked Oct 23, 2026Episode-to-subject associations from season tables, revision 16419. Legal-status cells are not imported.

An on-camera appearance does not establish guilt. Charges, court outcomes, and reported information are kept distinct. Research standards

Record updated Oct 23, 2026 · Version 9 · Suggest a correction

Default photograph on the Thomas Hicks wiki article.
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