A former elementary school teacher who works during the holidays as a Santa-for-Hire has been arrested in New Jersey, where authorities have alleged he both possessed and distributed child pornography.
Mark Paulino, was arrested by a multi-agency task force on Friday, December 5, inside the 64-year-old’s Hamilton Township home.
Investigators moved quickly on a tip that they received the day before regarding a person in Paulino’s town who was allegedly uploading multiple files to the internet — all containing illegal images of children being sexually exploited.
A press release from Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey fails to mention how police tracked the images to Paulino’s residence.
“According to his website, Paulino recently retired from the Hamilton Township School District as an elementary school teacher and is now a Santa character available for photographs and private, corporate and organizational events,” it is explained in the press release. “Due to his active engagement with young children in that role, detectives worked around the clock to obtain a search warrant.”
Police raided Paulino’s home, and sources told Us Weekly that electronics and other items of “evidentiary value” were removed from the home last week as part of the investigation, which authorities claim is still ongoing.
Paulino has been charged with one count of second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse material, one count of second-degree possession with the intent to distribute child sexual abuse material, one count of third-degree possession of child sexual abuse material, and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
He faces 20 years in prison if convicted on the distribution and intent to distribute charges alone, according to Mabrey’s release.
On his website, Paulino wrote that he “began working with children in 1984 as a substitute teacher,” and later, as a lifeguard and swimming instructor.
He wrote that he also taught special education before retiring from teaching in 2021.
“My love of dogs has led me to dog sitting/dog walking,” Paulino wrote. “Now, I’m pursuing my lifelong wish to be Santa Claus.”
He wrote on his site that he’s been married for over 20 to his wife, who is also an educator.
“We have two fine young men as sons,” he continued, before noting that he’s also an avid snowshoer, hiker, biker, and football fan.
Paulino’s website also features several videos depicting him dressed about as Santa Claus.
Paulino will remain behind bars without bond as he awaits trial. It was unclear on Tuesday if he had entered pleas to the charges he faces.
Us Weekly was also unable to determine if he is being represented by an attorney who could comment on the allegations on his behalf.
Us Weekly left messages at numbers listed for Paulino, but had not heard back by press time.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the prosecutor’s ICAC Unit at (609) 989-6568. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at www.mercercountyprosecutor.com.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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