18 arrested under new Halloween law for sex offenders

Monday, November 3, 2008 | 3:08 p.m. CST; updated 4:31 p.m. CST, Monday, November 3, 2008
BY The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS — Eighteen people were arrested in Christian County for allegedly failing to comply with a new state law restricting sex offenders' activities on Halloween night.

The law requires registered sex offenders to stay inside their houses on Halloween night except to work or tend to a medical emergency. They were toturn off their outside lights, not have contact with children and post a sign saying they weren't distributing candy.

Christian County Sheriff Mike Robertson says probable cause statements will be forwarded to the prosecutor's office for possible charges. The department will follow up with another 10 registered sex offenders to see why they weren't at home.

Anthony Rothert with the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri says the arrests highlight the ACLU's concern that enforcement could be arbitrary. A lawsuit brought by four sex offenders over the law continues. The four involved in the lawsuit do not reside in Christian County.

 

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