Two of 26 registered sex offenders in Cole County who are required to observe special Halloween restrictions didn't do so, the sheriff's office reported this weekend.
Missouri Law requires any person who must register as a sexual offender since 2008 to follow certain rules on October 31, including avoiding all Halloween-related contact with children; remaining inside the residence from 5-10:30 p.m., unless required to be elsewhere for just cause, such as employment or medical emergencies; posting a sign on the residence stating, "No candy or treats at this residence"; and leaving turned off all outside residential lighting after 5 p.m.
While trick-or-treaters were visiting neighborhoods Friday evening, sheriff's deputies were traveling throughout Jefferson City and Cole County, verifying that registered sex offenders were complying with Halloween Restrictions.
Deputies didn't report how the two people found to be out-of-compliance may have violated the law, but a news release said they were being investigated for potential charges.
Violators can be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
The release also said one offender did not follow the signage requirement, but corrected the problem immediately.
"We made contact, located, or left information with all of the offenders," Chief Deputy John Wheeler said. "We want them to know we are checking."
The annual Halloween Offender Checks are made in conjunction with a larger Cole County Sheriff's Department program.
Starting four years ago, deputies have worked each year to verify all registered sex offenders in Cole County.
Deputies make contact with registered offenders personally, to verify the accuracy of the information the offenders are required to give.
Offenders who are not home when a deputy stops by are investigated further, to verify their residency by checking mail delivery, vehicles at the residence, and speaking with neighbors.
In addition to verification of reported data, deputies look for how closely the offenders' homes are to child care and schools, what vehicles accessible to the offenders, and any other intelligence that is in plain sight.
Missouri law (589.400) requires offenders are required to register within three days of a conviction or plea to specific sex-related charges, regularly update their information with local law enforcement, advise of any moves within three days, and report their employment or if they're attending an educational institutions.
If they were convicted after July 2004, they cannot move to any residence that is within 1,000 feet of a school or child care facility.
Cole County has 124 registered offenders.
The public can see the county's sex offender database through the Cole County Sheriff's Department website, www.colecountysheriff.org.