A New Jersey man was arrested last week after allegedly filming and sending sexually-explicit video of a child.
Mark Paulino, 64, was taken into custody on Friday at his Hamilton County home. WPVI reported that police were alerted to his online activity a day earlier — and obtained a warrant due to his proximity to children.
According to NJ.com, Paulino is known locally as “Santa Mark,” as he dressed as the popular holiday character to visit schools and businesses. Paulino was also an elementary school teacher who worked in Hamilton Township until his retirement in 2021.
Paulino was accused of filming a child in his home and disseminating the illicit footage. NJ.com reported that police took multiple items from the residence at the time of his arrest on Friday.
Paulino is facing charges of second-degree distribution of child sexual abuse material, second-degree possession with the intent to distribute CSAM, third-degree possession of CSAM, and endangering the welfare of a child.
Paulino has a detention hearing on Tuesday, which will decide whether he will remain in custody until trial.
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[Feature Photo: Mercer County prosecutors]
