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Columbia Missourian

Prosecutor: Woman handed out Halloween candy at sex offender's house

By The Associated Press
December 2, 2009 | 12:42 p.m. CST

JEFFERSON CITY — A Missouri prosecutor is urging the state Supreme Court to let him prosecute a man charged with violating restrictions on sex offenders' Halloween activities.

A 2008 law requires sex offenders to remain inside on Halloween, leave their outdoor lights off and post a sign indicating no candy is available.

Charles Raynor, of Mexico, Mo., is accused of violating those rules after police saw a woman handing out candy from his home on Halloween. The charge was dismissed by a trial judge because the Halloween rules were established after Raynor's sex crime conviction more than a decade ago in Washington.

Audrain County Prosecutor Jacob Shellabarger argued Wednesday that Halloween restrictions are "collateral consequences" that can be imposed for prior convictions.