70 sex offenders in St. Charles County out of compliance on Halloween

Local police departments in St. Charles County visited hundreds of registered sex offenders on Halloween to verify compliance of the law restricting sex offenders from Halloween-related contact with children.

 “They have to be in their house between 5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. unless they have a valid reason for not being there,” said Lt. Craig McGuire, with the Sheriff’s Department. Registered offenders are also required to post a sign stating no candy or treats will be given out, and the outside lights must remain off.

The St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Missouri Highway Patrol and the police departments in O’Fallon, St. Peters, St. Charles and Wentzville teamed up to visit offenders Halloween night.

Of the 300 sex offenders visited, McGuire said 70 were found with minor violations of the law by having a light on or no sign in the window. An additional 30 offenders were found with a more serious violation for not being home or answering the door to those taking part in trick-or-treating. 

The violations are considered a misdemeanor charge.