‘Santa Claus’ at North Pole-Themed Park Accused of Shocking Crimes

A 75-year-old man who once played Santa Claus at a popular Christmas-themed attraction in upstate New York is facing serious criminal charges after police say he tried to arrange a sexual encounter involving a minor.

Clarence V. Russell, of Paul Smiths, was arrested September 5 following an investigation into alleged online communications involving children, according to the Ticonderoga Police Department.

Police said Russell had been communicating online with people he believed could arrange sexual encounters with minors. He was charged with attempted second-degree rape involving a victim younger than 15 and attempted endangering the welfare of a child.

Russell previously worked as a Santa Claus impersonator at Santa’s Workshop in North Pole, New York, a longtime Christmas attraction in the Adirondacks near Wilmington.

The park told NBC5 that Russell has not worked there since 2025.

“Clarence Russell has not been employed by Santa’s Workshop North Pole, NY, since 2025,” a park spokesperson said. “He is no longer affiliated with our organization in any capacity.”

Santa’s Workshop opened in 1949 and has long marketed itself as a family destination built around Christmas characters, rides and a North Pole village.

New reporting has also shed light on how Russell allegedly came to the attention of authorities.

Eric Arthurs, a private citizen who operates online under the name “The Underagent,” told CBS6 Albany that he posed as a mother and communicated with Russell for roughly a week as part of a citizen-led sting operation.

Arthurs said the fictitious mother claimed to have children ages 13, 12 and 8 available for sexual activity. He alleged Russell eventually agreed to travel to Ticonderoga to meet the supposed family.

Arthurs recorded portions of the confrontation and later posted video online. CBS6 also aired footage connected to the encounter. One CBS6 report on the case can be viewed here: CBS6 video report.

In the recordings described by Oxygen and other outlets, Arthurs confronted Russell about messages he allegedly sent before police became involved.

Arthurs claimed Russell arrived with condoms and lubricant. Those details have been publicly alleged by Arthurs but were not included in the initial police announcement, so they should not be treated as independently established facts at this stage.

Russell was ultimately taken into custody in Ticonderoga.

According to The Independent, citing a relative, Russell was later released on his own recognizance and is expected to appear in Ticonderoga Town Court on September 23.

That court appearance could provide additional information about the formal charges, Russell’s legal representation and whether he enters a plea.

The case remains under investigation.

Ticonderoga police have asked anyone with information about Russell to contact the department at 518-585-3456.

There was no publicly identified defense attorney for Russell in the reports reviewed, and no plea had been reported as of September 19.

The charges are allegations, and Russell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.