A middle school teacher and a youth coordinator were among 12 men arrested in a holiday sting dubbed “Operation Bad Santa,” exposing a dark betrayal of trust in positions meant to protect children. Undercover officers, posing as minors on social media and messaging apps, lured the suspects to a sting house in Middlesex County, New Jersey, where they were immediately taken into custody. This multi-agency effort, conducted by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office ICAC Unit with federal and local partners, highlights the urgent threat of online predators and the need for greater vigilance.
Story Snapshot
- Undercover officers posed as minors on social media, arresting 12 men aged 23-65 who arrived expecting illicit encounters with children.
- Joseph Davicsin, a 46-year-old Elizabeth middle school teacher, and Cameron Ameye, a 33-year-old youth program coordinator, were charged with luring and endangering minors.
- Multi-agency effort involving the FBI, DHS, and local police was conducted December 8-15, 2025, in Middlesex County, New Jersey.
- Charges include second-degree luring and third-degree attempted endangering; some face additional counts for distributing obscene material.
- Prosecutor urges parents to monitor online activity amid rising predator threats via apps and social media.
Operation Details Unfold
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office ICAC Unit led Operation Bad Santa from December 8 to 15, 2025. Undercover officers posed as children on social media and messaging apps. Suspects engaged in explicit conversations, then traveled to a sting house in towns like East Brunswick and New Brunswick. Twelve men arrived believing they would meet minors. Law enforcement arrested them immediately upon entry. Federal partners FBI Newark and DHS, joined local police from multiple departments.
Predators in Positions of Trust
Joseph Davicsin, 46, from East Brunswick, taught at an Elizabeth middle school. Cameron Ameye, 33, from Bloomingdale, coordinated the Youth Rise Program at Passaic County Community College. Both face second-degree luring and third-degree attempted endangering charges. Other suspects include Delpis Reynoso-Castro, 26, from New Brunswick; Marcos Aguila, 57, from East Brunswick; and Kevin Knox, 65, from North Brunswick. Ages ranged from 23 to 65 across Middlesex County residences. These arrests shatter parental faith in educators and youth leaders.
Charges and Immediate Aftermath
All 12 suspects face primary charges of second-degree luring a child and third-degree attempted endangering the welfare of a child through sexual conduct. Jorge Mora, 52, from Jackson, and Akash Shah, 23, from East Brunswick, were also charged with distributing obscene material to a minor. James Keating, 59, from Edison, faces similar added counts. Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced the operation, emphasizing the protection of children from online predators. Suspects remain in custody as prosecutions proceed.
Parents now question vetting in schools and programs. Elizabeth Middle School and Passaic County Community College face community scrutiny. No post-arrest employment details emerged. Ciccone urged tips to ICAC at 732-745-3300. This sting highlights urgent needs for stricter background checks on those near children, aligning with conservative calls for robust child safeguards over lenient oversight.
Broader Implications for Families
Stings like Operation Bad Santa follow national ICAC patterns since the early 2000s, targeting internet solicitation spikes. New Jersey saw prior cases, including a retired teacher with child abuse materials and a state trooper jailed for similar attempts. Dense Middlesex County areas like Old Bridge enable high social media predator contacts. Short-term disruptions hit local families; long-term, public arrests deter offenses and boost parental vigilance. Under President Trump’s law-and-order focus, such operations reinforce community safety and traditional family protections.
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Teacher among 12 busted in Operation Bad Santa child sex sting
Operation Bad Santa NJ arrests
Operation Bad Santa nets 12 child predator arrests in Middlesex County