MO- Sex offender charged after Halloween to have case dismissed

Based on this decision, it means, the law (Halloween Restrictions) is not applicable to anyone who IS NOT on the registry. Therefore, it follows, wherever the law was applicable to a home where a registered sex offender lives as a guest, charges should also be dismissed. Hopefully lawyers will see this and act accordingly.

11-14-2008 Missouri:

One of three men charged with violating a new Missouri state law regarding registered sex offenders will have his case dismissed and his name removed from the list of registered sexual predators, according to a news release from Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

Terry Greable, 30, of Jackson was charged with failing to post a sign stating "no treats or candy available at this residence" Oct. 31, as per the new law regarding Halloween restrictions placed on sex offenders.

Swingle dismissed the charges against Greable on Thursday, after learning the child molestation guilty plea Greable made in 1997 was a misdemeanor then. State law did not require registration for someone who had not committed a felony offense until 2000.

Greable's name will be removed from Cape Girardeau County's list of registered sex offenders, Swingle said.

"We are forced to give up on this prosecution before we even get out of the stating gate," Swingle said.

Armando C. Torres, 59, and Sammy L. Sweaney, 40, are charged with violating the Halloween law and will appear Dec. 8 before Associate Circuit Judge Gary A. Kamp. ..News Source. by Southeast Missourian



Case dismissed in Halloween sex offender case

11-15-2008 Missouri:

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) -- One of three men charged with violating a new Missouri state law regulating the activity of registered sex offenders on Halloween will have his case dismissed.

Terry Greable's name also will be removed from the list of registered sexual predators in Cape Girardeau County.

That's according to Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

The 30-year-old from Jackson was charged with failing to post a sign outside his home stating that he was not distributing candy on Halloween.

Swingle dismissed the charge on Thursday, after learning Greable had pleaded to a misdemeanor child molestation charge in 1997, three years before the law required registration of misdemeanor offenders.

Two other men charged with violating the Halloween law will appear in court next month. ..News Source.. by 5KSDK.com