NEWARK, N.J. — A New Jersey man who played Santa Claus at children’s parties has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison for traveling to Thailand to have sex with boys.

Wayne Corliss was captured at his Union City apartment in May 2008 after a worldwide manhunt led by Interpol. His arrest came two days after the agency took the rare step of asking for the public’s help by releasing photos found on someone’s computer.

Corliss, a part-time actor, dressed up as Santa Claus and painted faces at children’s parties. He has been described by friends and colleagues as an educated, witty man whose stage name was Casey Wayne.

He pleaded guilty last year.