Missouri children once sat on his lap at Christmas time, but a man who played the part of Santa Claus during the holiday season has been arrested for child sex crimes.
Jeffrey Moffat has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a young girl, who told her grandmother Moffat touched her inappropriately.
Missouri authorities confirmed to The Post Moffat – who played Santa at the St. Luis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway Santa Express – is facing charges of both first degree statutory rape and first degree statutory sodomy.
He will appear in court to face these charges in late August.
Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Captain David James referred to Moffat as “our pervert Santa” in an email to The Post.
“I would say his days are done as far as being a Santa anywhere around here,” wrote James.
Moffat has strongly denied the allegations but also told police in an interview “‘How can I say she’s not lying then” and “Children don’t lie”.
Board president of the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern Railway, Cheryl Huffman said Moffat has a “heart of gold” and told The Post “I just thought in this country you were innocent until proven guilty, you know.”
