Operation Bad Santa Targets Online Child Exploitation
A recent undercover operation named “Operation Bad Santa,” led by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey, alongside local police, the FBI, and Homeland Security, has resulted in the arrest of several men accused of soliciting minors for sex through social media and messaging apps.
During this operation, an undercover officer posed as a child. The suspects arrived at a prearranged location, expecting to meet the minor, only to be arrested by law enforcement. This initiative primarily spanned up to December 8th, with twelve men being apprehended on December 15, 2025, as disclosed in a press release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. Alarmingly, some of those arrested held positions of trust within the community, including middle school teachers and youth program coordinators.
The majority of the suspects face charges of second-degree child enticement and third-degree attempted child endangerment, both of which carry significant potential prison sentences. Additionally, some individuals are facing extra charges related to obscene materials.
“This operation demonstrates our shared commitment to protecting children and holding criminals accountable,” said a spokesperson from the FBI.
Eight of the individuals arrested are specifically charged with second-degree enticement and attempting to endanger the welfare of a child through sexual conduct.
- Delpis Reynoso Castro, 26, New Brunswick
- Marcos Aguila, 57, East Brunswick
- Jose Legia, 57, Old Bridge
- Hareshkumar “Harry” Vara, 44, Dunellen
- Vedant Khandelwal, 38, Bridgewater
- Kevin Knox, 65, North Brunswick
- Cameron Ameai, 33, Bloomingdale
- Joseph Davisin, 46, East Brunswick
Notably, Cameron Ameai, 33, works as a program coordinator for a youth initiative at Passaic County Community College, while Joseph Davisin, 46, is a middle school teacher at Chessie Dentley Roberts Academy in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Two suspects, 52-year-old Jorge Mora from Jackson and 23-year-old Akash Shah from East Brunswick, face charges that include distribution of obscene materials to minors, alongside enticement and attempted endangerment. Raul Angeles, 53, from Asbury Park, is charged with third-degree attempted child endangerment by sexual act, while James Keating, 59, from Edison, faces similar charges along with distribution of obscene material to minors.
“The success of this operation reflects the power of multi-agency collaboration and serves as a warning to those who seek to harm our community’s most vulnerable individuals. We are committed to pursuing justice relentlessly,” stated East Brunswick Police Chief Frank LoSacco.
The arrests occurred when the suspects arrived at what they believed to be the child’s residence and were greeted by law enforcement. Officials have indicated that the operation is ongoing, reminding the public that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. They also emphasize the importance of parents being vigilant regarding their children’s social media activities and highlight continuous efforts to tackle online child exploitation.
