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A 64-year-old American who was employed as a “Santa for hire” has been detained in New Jersey on suspicion of having and disseminating materials that depict child sexual assault.

Mark Paulino, the suspect, was taken into custody on Monday and charged with endangering a child’s welfare and possessing and distributing materials that depict child sexual assault.

According to Mercer County officials, the investigation started on December 4, 2025, when detectives were tipped off about questionable online activity including the upload of child pornography from a Hamilton Township home.

Investigators found Paulino, a retired elementary school teacher, as the person connected to the uploads after receiving the tip.

Paulino had been operating as a professional Santa Claus for hire, attending photo shoots and community events, which put him in close proximity to youngsters on a regular basis, according to police.

“Because his role required close and repeated interaction with minors, detectives worked tirelessly to obtain a search warrant,” authorities said.

On December 5, the warrant was carried out, and during that time, detectives found a number of things thought to be crucial to the case. Paulino did not resist being taken into custody.

While the case is still being investigated, prosecutors have requested that he be kept in custody pending trial.

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