TX- Teen sex offender speaks about Halloween

10-31-2008 Texas:

Harlingen teen said he is not a risk to children celebrating Halloween

Manuel Bazaldua is fresh out of a Cameron County jail.

He spent 18 months behind bars for aggravated sexual assault of a child.

"She turned 14, that's when I turned 18...at that time I'm already legal," he said.

Manuel told Action 4 News that he did his time but must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

He said his relationship with his girlfriend was completely consensual and even had the approvral of her mother.

"The mom was alright with it... it was consensual," he said. "I had permission. She even gave me permission to move in the house. I would help pay the bills. She would lend me her car."

Manuel said everything was fine until she had an argument with the neighbor who called CPS.

He said CPS made his girlfriend's mother press charges against him.

Halloween used to be Manuel’s favorite holiday.

But that was before the State of Texas said he could no longer celebrate in the traditional way.

Under his probation guidelines, Manuel can't put decorations outside of his home.

He and every other sex offender in Cameron County must report to an undisclosed location every Halloween night.

It's a level of protection Mario Bustamante felt was too stiff for his cousin.

The two live together at a home in Harlingen.

“Come on... somebody that touched a kid that's eight years old...a guy touching a boy...that's severe...or touching a little girl that's 3 years old... that's severe.... but consensual dating...I don't think that's right," Bustamante said.

But because the State doesn't differentiate, sex offenders will all placed in the same boat this Halloween.

Manuel said he does plan to follow the law.

"I'm just going to mind my business... sit there and just wait for the time to pass," he said.

But he hopes in time the public will realize not all sex offenders are a permanent risk to society. ..News Source.. by Ryan Wolf