Santa Claus sentenced to 5 years after Kenner child exploitation sting

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A New Orleans man who legally changed his name to Santa Claus will spend five years in prison after pleading guilty to computer-aided solicitation of a minor.

Claus was arrested in June after Kenner police said an undercover officer posed as a 15-year-old boy online.

Police said Claus sent sexually explicit messages to the undercover officer and agreed to meet at the Kenner Lakefront. He was taken into custody at the meeting location.

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Court records show Claus will serve his five-year sentence without parole, probation or suspension. He is also banned from using the internet for the length of his sentence.

Claus, 75, was previously booked on charges of indecent behavior with a juvenile and computer-aided solicitation of a minor.

According to Kenner police, Claus contacted an undercover officer through a dating app, believing he was communicating with a teenage boy. Police said the two discussed engaging in sexual activity before agreeing to meet in person.

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During the June arrest, Kenner police noted Claus' resemblance to the Christmas figure associated with his name.

"His physical appearance indicates he does take on the persona of the Santa Clause, which is alarming considering he was attempting to have sex with a boy," the department previously said.

Claus has legally changed his name to Santa Claus, according to police and court records.

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