Twelve New Jersey men, including a middle school teacher and a youth program coordinator, were arrested during a multi-day undercover child sex sting known as “Operation Bad Santa,” authorities announced, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
Prosecutors say the men were caught after allegedly attempting to lure minors for sex and traveling to a Middlesex County residence, believing they were meeting a child.
The operation was conducted by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies. The sting unfolded over several days between Dec. 8 and Dec. 15.
According to prosecutors, undercover officers posed as minors during online conversations conducted through social media platforms and messaging applications.
Investigators said the suspects engaged in explicit communications and were directed to a residence in Middlesex County, where they were taken into custody upon arrival.
The defendants range in age from 23 to 65. Most were charged with second-degree luring and third-degree criminal attempt to endanger sexual conduct with a child.
Those charges are felony offenses under New Jersey law and carry the potential for state prison sentences if convictions are secured.
Authorities identified the suspects as Delpis Reynoso-Castro, 26, of New Brunswick; Marcos Aguila, 57, of East Brunswick; Jose Leguia, 57, of Old Bridge; Hareshkumar “Harry” Vala, 44, of Dunellen; Vedant Khandelwal, 38, of Bridgewater; Kevin Knox, 65, of North Brunswick; Cameron Ameye, 33, of Bloomingdale; and Joseph Davicsin, 46, of East Brunswick.
Two additional suspects, Jorge Mora, 52, of Jackson, and Akash Shah, 23, of East Brunswick, were charged with counts related to the alleged distribution of obscene material to a minor.
Raul Angeles, 53, of Asbury Park, and James Keating, 59, of Edison, were charged with third-degree attempted endangering sexual conduct with a child.
Keating also faces an additional charge of distributing obscene material to a minor.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced yesterday, that twelve arrests of alleged child predators were made in “Operation Bad Santa.”https://t.co/5PlYBww9py [2] pic.twitter.com/VMVl5yK438 [3]
— East Brunswick PD (@EBPDNJ) December 23, 2025 [4]
Prosecutors said two of the men held positions involving direct work with young people.
Ameye was employed as a program coordinator for Youth Rise, an academic readiness and career pathways initiative at Passaic County Community College.
Davicsin was employed as a middle school teacher in Elizabeth, officials said.
Employers connected to the two defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Davicsin’s attorney, Michael Chazen, said his client maintains his innocence and urged the public not to reach conclusions prematurely.
Attorneys representing Angeles and another defendant declined to comment, while legal counsel for the remaining defendants did not respond to media inquiries.
The operation involved coordination between local police departments throughout Middlesex County, as well as the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
Prosecutors said the investigation remains active and noted that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Authorities also emphasized the continued focus on online child exploitation, particularly during the holiday season, and urged parents to monitor their children’s online activity.