“Operation Bad Santa” Takes 12 Alleged Child Predators Off The Streets

Monday, December 29, 2025, 7:30 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ.- Last Monday, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone reported that twelve alleged child sexual predators were taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with an undercover multi-agency sting dubbed “Operation Bad Santa,” targeting alleged child predators who were utilizing Social Media Platforms and online Instant Messaging applications to lure children to engage in sexual activities.

     Operation Bad Santa was conducted by Investigators of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, with assistance from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and local law enforcement agencies. 

     Twelve men were taken into custody 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 Investigators. The men were arrested when they arrived at an undercover residence, where they were expecting to find a child; instead, they were greeted by law enforcement Officers. Two of the men engaged in online child exploitation and were quickly taken into custody after being identified.

     “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.”

Police Charge 12 With Attempted Child Sex Crimes

     The twelve men charged are as follows:

     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 urged to contact the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3300. All calls and information will be kept confidential.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”