Multiple Arrests Made In Middlesex County’s Operation Bad Santa

Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone announced today, that twelve arrests of alleged child predators were made in “Operation Bad Santa,” a multi-agency undercover operation targeting people who allegedly were using social media and various online messaging applications in an attempt to lure underage children for sexual activity.

Operation Bad Santa was led by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from, the East Brunswick Police Department, FBI Newark, Edison Police Department, Highland Park Police Department, New Brunswick Police Department, Monroe Police Department, Piscataway Police Department, Sayreville Police Department, South River Police Department, Homeland Security, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Twelve men were arrested without incident and charged over the course of six days, December 8, 2025, through December 12, 2025, and December 15, 2025:

The underage “children” that the perpetrators were speaking with were, in fact, undercover officers. The defendants were arrested when they arrived at an undercover residence, where they expected to find the child. Instead, they were met with several law enforcement officers prepared to arrest them. Two of the defendants engaged in online child exploitation and were arrested upon their identification.

“This operation’s success reflects the power of cooperation among multiple agencies and stands as both a beacon of hope for our community and a stark warning to those who attempt to victimize our most vulnerable population; we will relentlessly pursue justice.” – Chief Frank LoSacco

“This operation demonstrates our shared commitment to protecting children and holding offenders accountable,” said Stefanie Roddy, Special Agent in Charge of FBI.

Newark. “Working alongside the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the East Brunswick Police Department, and our law enforcement partners, we will continue to identify, locate, and arrest individuals who seek to sexually exploit minors. Anyone who believes they can target children in our communities without consequence should understand that law enforcement is united, vigilant, and will respond with unified and aggressive enforcement.”

Delpis Reynoso-Castro, 26, of New Brunswick, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring and one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.

Marcos Aguila, 57, of East Brunswick, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring and one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.

Jose Leguia, 57, of Old Bridge, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring and one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.

Hareshkumar “Harry” Vala, 44, of Dunellen, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring and one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.

Vedant Khandelwal, 38, of Bridgewater, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring and one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.

Kevin Knox, 65, of North Brunswick, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring and one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.

Cameron Ameye, 33, of Bloomingdale, a Program Coordinator of Youth Rise at Passaic County Community College, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring and one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.

Jorge Mora, 52, of Jackson, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring, one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Distributing Obscene Material to a Minor, and one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.

Joseph Davicsin, 46, of East Brunswick, a Middle School Teacher in Elizabeth, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring and one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.

Akash Shah, 23, of East Brunswick, was charged with one count of second-degree Luring, one count of third-degree Distributing Obscene Material to a Minor and one count of third-degree Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.

Raul Angeles, 53, of Asbury Park, was charged with one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child.

James Keating, 59, of Edison, was charged with one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt – Endangering Sexual Conduct with a Child and one count of third-degree Distributing Obscene Material to a Minor.

The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3300.

Prosecutor Ciccone would like to commend the agencies involved in Operation Bad Santa, thanks to their dedication to public safety and tenacious hard work, twelve alleged child predators have been arrested.

As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Reynoso-Castro, Aguila, Leguia, Vala, Khandelwal, Knox, Ameye, Mora, Davicsin, Shah, Keating and Angeles are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Note to editors: Questions may be directed to Brynn Krause, Public Information Officer, at
mcpopress@co.middlesex.nj.us.