Retired Teacher Who Played Santa Facing Child Porn Charges

HAMILTON, NJ — A retired elementary school teacher who plays as Santa Claus was arrested for having and sharing child pornography, said Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey.

Mark Paulino, 64, of Hamilton is 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.

On Dec. 4, detectives with the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit learned that a person, identified as Paulino, living in Hamilton Township had uploaded multiple files of suspected child sexual abuse material to the internet, said Marbrey.

"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," said Marbrey.

Authorities worked around the clock to get a search warrant for Paulino due to his active engagement with young children.

On Friday, authorities searched Paulino’s Hamilton Township home, where detectives seized multiple items of evidentiary value. Paulino was taken into custody without incident.

Paulino faces a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000 on the second-degree crimes.

Hamilton Township School District Superintendent Dr. Scott Rocco told Patch, the district "has no comment at this time."

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with 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.

Marbrey urges anyone with information about suspected improper contact by unknown persons communicating with children via the internet or possible exploitation or sexual abuse of children to contact the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit at 609-989-6568 or the New Jersey Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force tip line at 888-648-6007.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.