Florida man who played Santa arrested in sting Thomas Hicks was arrested in an undercover human trafficking sting in Polk County, Florida, police said. (Polk County Sheriff's Office) NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles! A Polk County, Florida man who often plays Santa Claus is behind bars after deputies say he tried to meet up and have sex with an underage girl. Thomas Allen Hicks, 68, was one of 19 suspects arrested on charges of attempting to allegedly travel to have sex with minors,