A 75-year-old employee at a historic upstate New York Christmas theme park was arrested earlier this month on charges he tried to arrange sexual encounters with children online, police announced Wednesday.
Clarence Russell, of the Ticonderoga area, was taken into custody Sept. 5 and charged with attempted rape and attempted endangering the welfare of a child, according to the Ticonderoga Police Department and NBC5.
Russell worked at Santa’s Workshop in North Pole, NY, a holiday theme park in Wilmington that first opened its gates in July 1949, family members confirmed to NBC5. The attraction, styled as a North Pole village, has drawn generations of families seeking Christmas-themed entertainment in the Adirondack Mountains.
Police say Russell used the internet to message people he believed were arranging sexual encounters with children under 15 years old. Investigators did not disclose how long they believe Russell had been engaged in the alleged online activity or what platforms he may have used.
The Ticonderoga Police Department has urged anyone with information related to the case to contact them at (518) 585-3456. Authorities have not announced whether additional charges are anticipated or if investigators are examining whether Russell had any physical contact with minors through his position at the theme park.
Santa’s Workshop did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Russell’s arrest or his employment status. The park, which operates seasonally, features rides, a petting zoo, and visits with Santa Claus.
Russell’s case highlights ongoing concerns about background screening at family-oriented attractions where employees have regular access to children. The park’s website emphasizes its appeal to families with young children, advertising “a magical Christmas experience” in a village setting.