Missouri sex offenders can no longer place “No Candy” warning signs outside their homes on Halloween, a federal judge has ruled, arguing that part of the state law is unconstitutional.
A state law enacted in 2008 prohibits registered sex offenders from going outside to interact with children or turning on outside lights, and on Halloween night, they are prohibited from offering candy or treats. It is mandatory to post a sign in your home warning that “No such use is allowed.” to fox 2.
But U.S. District Judge John Ross ruled Wednesday that the signature portion of the law will no longer go into effect starting this Halloween.
Ross said the agency is permanently prohibited from enforcing the signature requirement across the state.
Missing mother's body found in Missouri six months after mysterious disappearance
Missouri sex offenders can no longer post “No Candy” warning signs outside their homes on Halloween, a federal judge has ruled. (Getty Images)
The ruling comes after Thomas Sanderson, a resident of Hazelwood, Missouri, filed a lawsuit last year alleging that the signature requirement violated his First Amendment right to free speech, under which he was forced to make statements he disagreed with. This was done in response to what happened.
Police arrested Sanderson shortly after Halloween 2022 for allegedly setting up a large Halloween display and handing out candy to children.
Sanderson is listed as a Tier Level II offender on the Missouri State Highway Patrol's sex offender registry. He has been on the state's sex offender registry since 2006, and the Tier Level II designation means he must complete 25 years of registration requirements.
Police find 5 adults and 7 children in back of U-HAUL in Missouri, arrest 2 men: Report
The judge said he was permanently barred from enforcing signature requirements on authorities across the state. (St. Petersburg)
Prior to 2022, the complaint says, authorities had violated Sanderson on two separate occasions, in 2008 and 2012, because his convictions occurred before the requirement took effect in 2008. They were told that the law does not apply. Mr. Sanderson has held an annual Halloween festival since 2008. And according to the original petition, no written or oral notice was ever issued that the law applied to him.
Sanderson pleaded guilty in April 2023 to one count of failing to comply with Halloween regulations for sex offenders, according to court records.
U.S. District Judge John Ross ruled that the signature portion of the law will no longer be enforced starting this Halloween. (Media News Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)
Click to get the FOX News app
Ross' Wednesday ruling means Missouri sex offender registrants are no longer required to post warning signs on Halloween, but other laws that require them to stay indoors and turn off outside lights The terms must still be followed.
