A 75-year-old man who portrayed Santa Claus at a Christmas-themed amusement park faces multiple felony charges following allegations that he attempted to arrange sexual encounters with children over the internet.

Clarence Russell of Paul Smiths, New York, was arrested on September 5, according to the Ticonderoga Police Department. Investigators say that the arrest stems from digital communications in which Russell believed he was coordinating meetings with minors.

Russell is charged with attempted second-degree rape involving a victim under the age of 15, as well as attempted endangering the welfare of a child, as reported by CBS 6 Albany. According to a relative, Russell was released on his own recognizance, with an arraignment in Ticonderoga Town Court set for September 23.

Public records and local media reports indicate that Russell worked as a seasonal Santa Claus at Santa’s Workshop in Wilmington, New York, for approximately ten years. The historic park has welcomed visitors since 1949. Representatives for the theme park were contacted by The Independent for comment regarding his current employment status.

A man named Eric Arthurs, who goes by the screen name “The Underagent,” documented a confrontation with Russell and the police intervention that followed on social media.

In videos posted to Facebook by Arthurs, Russell is shown being confronted about his alleged online activity before being taken into custody. According to Arthurs, he posed online as a mother setting up sexual encounters and described graphic messages sent by Russell.

Arthurs shared these details with police and noted that Russell drove roughly two hours from his home in Franklin County to meet the fictitious family in Ticonderoga.

Russell’s daughter, identified only as Kourtney, told The Adirondack Daily Enterprise that a “history of pedophilia and sexual crimes” had long been known to relatives, and she pointed to a 1993 conviction for sexual misconduct and abuse.

“None of this surprises me,” she said. “This has been public knowledge. This is what my family grew up knowing. This has been our truth. We’ve known him to be a creep.”

An online profile tied to Russell referenced his seasonal occupation, including a self-description depicting himself as a “jolly old elf living at the north pole with Mrs Claus surrounded by elf’s and rainedeer,” CBS 6 reported.

The Wilmington park is currently closed for the summer and fall operating seasons as crews perform property upgrades.

Ticonderoga Police are continuing to investigate the matter and ask anyone with information regarding Russell to contact them at 518-585-3456.