One sex offender arrested, 16 more noncompliant in Cole County on Halloween

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Cole County Sheriff’s Office said in a Friday press release that one sex offender was arrested and another 16 were noncompliant during Halloween checks.

The release says 135 sex offenders in the county were checked.

Sex offenders are required by law to avoid Halloween-related contact with children and must remain inside their residence from 5-10:30 p.m. unless they were required to be somewhere else for “just cause,” which can include employment or medical emergencies, the release says. Sex offenders must also turn off all lighting outside of their residence after 5 p.m.

The release says deputies will follow up with the 16 noncompliant sex offenders to determine if they had just cause to not be at their residence.

Missouri law used to also require sex offenders to post a sign outside of their residence saying “no candy or treats at this residence,” but a judge ruled on Oct. 2 that the provision forces “compelled speech.” The Associated Press reported that the Missouri Attorney General’s Office plans to appeal the decision.