Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

10:15 a.m. • 5-18-13

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 82° F
  • Sun: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 78° F
  • Mon: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 78° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Published: 2012-09-28 20:38:00
Updated: 2012-09-28 20:38:00

Posted: September 28, 2012

Cary 'Santa' pleads guilty to child sex charges

John Thomas Peters

[search] Site Search

John Thomas Peters
print friendly

Raleigh, N.C. — A Cary man who played Santa Claus at area malls has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from accusations that he solicited a 15-year-old girl over the Internet for sex.

John Thomas Peters, 70, of 113 Crestpoint Court, was arrested in January on several charges after police picked him up at a fast-food restaurant in Apex, where he had planned to meet a teen.

Peters pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and soliciting a child by computer.

He was sentenced to 20 to 36 months in prison and must register as a sex offender when he's released.

His prison sentence is expected to begin Oct. 5.

Peters was arrested again in March on accusations that he also met a teen whom he found on Facebook and met her.

Court documents allege that Peters referred to himself as an amateur photographer looking for models.

Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

7 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

View Comments VIEW ALL 7 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments
After this, families will no longer think of Santa Claus in the same way. westernwake1

You are exactly right. I wonder how many families dread pulling out their Christmas photos of their children on Santa's knee just to see if they have him in those photos. So far I have not been able to do it.
Click to view my profile itsmyownopinion
October 5, 2012 5:57 p.m.
WRAL, I just have to ask, WHY did you bury this story so quickly? While I'm sick of seeing him, these news stories related to the sexual abuse of children need to be front page and center to raise awareness that any underage individual is at risk and any adult walking around in our communities, whatever their status or profession, can be a pervert looking for their next victim.
Click to view my profile itsmyownopinion
October 5, 2012 5:52 p.m.
I'll bet Mrs. Santa is so mad she could shoot Santa's Roudolf
AX MAN
October 1, 2012 1:36 p.m.
Come on WRAL, don't call him Santa, just refer to him as John T Perv.
danunger
October 1, 2012 11:40 a.m.
20 to 36 months! That's a joke. Maybe someone in prison will educate him on his wrong doing?
Click to view my profile Crew Dog E6
October 1, 2012 11:01 a.m.
View Comments VIEW ALL 7 COMMENTS

Multimedia Spotlight

more