CHEROKEE, N.C. (TCN) — A 78-year-old former Santa Claus impersonator was arrested recently for allegedly sexually abusing and inappropriately touching children.
The Cherokee One Feather reports the Cherokee Nation Police Department took Bevier Sleight into custody on Aug. 29 and charged him with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse, two counts of sexual abuse, two counts of abusive sexual contact, three counts of offensive touching, two counts of contributing to the delinquency of minors, and two counts of child abuse.
According to WLOS-TV, Sleight worked as Santa Claus at Santa’s Land Fun Park and Zoo in Cherokee. The abuse allegedly lasted from March 2023 to March 2024 at his home behind the theme park. One of the victims was reportedly 5 years old. Sleight was reportedly a customer of Caroline Roland, who is accused of running a sex trafficking ring.
WLOS reports Roland is accused of beating a 5-year-old child and breaking their hand. She also allegedly slammed the child on the floor, knocking them unconscious. The victim needed CPR and surgery after that. Doctors found additional injuries on the child while they were in the intensive care unit following the procedure.
Sleight reportedly does not have a prior criminal record, nor does he work at Santa’s Land anymore, according to WLOS.