By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Middlesex County announced that twelve arrests of alleged 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 explicit activity. 
Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone stated that 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 through December 12, and December 15, 2025, according to Middlesex County officials. The underage “children” that the perpetrators were speaking with were, in fact, undercover officers.
According to Middlesex County officials, 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, MCPO officials said.
"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.
The twelve arrested are listed below:
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 Explicit 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 Explicit 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 Explicit 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 Explicit 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 Explicit 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 Explicit 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 Explicit 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 Explicit 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 Explicit 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 Explicit Conduct with a Child.
Raul Angeles, 53, of Asbury Park, was charged with one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt - Endangering Explicit Conduct with a Child.
James Keating, 59, of Edison, was charged with one count of third-degree Criminal Attempt - Endangering Explicit Conduct with a Child and one count of third-degree Distributing Obscene Material to a Minor.
MCPO authorities stated 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