MO: Registrant held on $25,000 cash-only bond for handing out candy on Halloween.
Prosecutors have charged Thomas Sanderson with one count of “failure to comply with Halloween related restrictions for sex offenders.”
As part of Missouri state law, registered sex offenders cannot go outside to interact with children, cannot have outside lights on and are required to post a sign stating no candy or treats are available at the home on Halloween night.
The Hazelwood Police Department received an anonymous tip that Sanderson had violated such orders on Halloween. According to a news release, when police arrived to the area, they noticed Sanderson setting up and interacting with an “extravagant” display. Surveillance footage later reviewed by police also showed Sanderson handing out treats to at least two children.
The Hazelwood Police Department acquired a warrant Wednesday for Sanderson’s arrest and officially took him into custody Friday. He is being held at the St. Louis County Justice Center on a $25,000 cash-only bond.
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I would like to see him keep his mouth shut and this case go all the way to the Supreme Court. Many of the points made here are good points to make during litigation. I would also like to see a lot more publicity on this. Most of the people I have spoken to have no idea what all PFRs go through and are usually very surprised by what they find out.
Dustin
Good point, sounds like just good old fashioned harassment.
If he was such a threat to children, why did the police film him on Monday (Halloween, or do they do it over the weekend there?), wait until Wednesday to get the warrant, and then not arrest him until Friday? If he was really a threat, they should have arrested him on the spot when he was handing out candy.
Anthony
Having worked in law enforcement in the past, perhaps they had to meet with the attorney that represents the department/city and come up with charges that would stick. Getting their ducks in the row.
Meanwhile there were probably drive by shootings, robberies and other crimes happening that had a delayed response because half the department was on candy patrol enforcement. I have seen both sides of the law now and neither of them are good.
LEOs can legally get away with so much that the common citizen cannot. For example, here in Florida, one of our Sheriff’s (Not a sheriff’s deputy but THE sheriff) went on vacation off duty and forgot he had his concealed weapon on him. TSA caught him and decided to let him take his weapon to his car or store it in a locker.
The same week, same airport, a citizen with a concealed weapons permit, also forgot he had his weapon on him. You cannot have a permit unless you have no felonies, and this man was not a felon. But unlike the Sheriff, his forgetfulness led to a stay at the jail.
Incidents of entitlement are one of many reasons I left. I did not want to live the lie that so many cops, deputies, troopers and agents live.
My thoughts exactly!! This is yet more proof that these laws are punishment and NOT in the interest of safety.