An Evans man who worked as a Santa Claus and Columbia County teacher is barred from having access to children after a Thursday bench trial.
Gregory Steven Brooks, 66, was found guilty of two counts of felony sexual assault for touching or slapping the backsides of two students at Evans High School in September and October 2021.
Brooks was sentenced as a first offender by Senior Columbia County Judge James G. Blanchard to five years’ probation, District Attorney Bobby Christine said.
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Conditions of his probation include having no contact with the victims, witnesses or any children under age 18, no work as a teacher and no playing Santa Claus, Christine said.
Brooks lost his teaching job right away, but continued to sit as Santa Claus in places such as department storess. His bond conditions were modified in December 2022 to ban him from having contact with anyone under age 18, according to prior reports.
At the time two students came forward with the allegations, Brooks was well known as a paramedic, firefighter, EMS instructor and travel agent who conducted tours of areas such as Alaska.
At one point he was paramedic of the year and according to his website, he still teaches EMS and first aid classes at area churches.
