Fairfield University Student Accused Of Posting Fake SantaCon Promotions: Police

FAIRFIELD, CT — A day after Fairfield police warned that fake SantaCon promotional posts were circulating on social media, the department has arrested a Fairfield University student authorities said was allegedly responsible.

The 19-year-old from Massapequa, New York, was arrested on charges of criminal attempt to commit disorderly conduct, and third-degree criminal attempt to commit criminal trespass.

According to Fairfield Police Sgt. Jenna Wellington, the student promoted "a SantaCon gathering, at specific private residential beach addresses that he has no affiliation with, and without the homeowner’s permission."

This year's SantaCon event in Fairfield on Dec. 6 will be a private, ticketed event sanctioned by Fairfield University, which will be exclusively for Fairfield University students and their registered guests. It will not be open to the public, and police and town officials on Wednesday warned people not to come to Fairfield on the 6th, because there will not be a public SantaCon event.

In past years, SantaCon has devolved into a mess of extreme drunkenness, fights, littering and other problems, prompting the town and university to crack down on the event.

Wellington said that the student's fake promotions had been viewed extensively online.

"These promotions reached over 600,000 views," Wellington said.

"Our priority is protecting our residents, our neighborhoods, and everyone’s safety," said Fairfield Police Chief Michael Paris in a statement on Wednesday. "If you are not invited to the private event, do not come to Fairfield expecting a public SantaCon celebration. There isn’t one. Our message is simple: If you come to Fairfield to break the law or disrupt this community, you will be held accountable."

The student was released on a promise to appear and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Dec. 8.