OK Sex Offenders Not Prohibited From Distributing Candy On Halloween

In Oklahoma, there's nothing statewide holding registered sex offenders back from distributing candy to children on Halloween, according to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.

Department spokesperson Jerry Massie tells News 9 it is up to each city to adopt ordinances forbidding sex offenders from participating in trick-or-treating. News 9 checked with Oklahoma City and its five largest suburbs -- There's nothing on the books. That's right, there are no ordinances prohibiting offenders from passing out candy to children.

"Parents have got to understand that the buck stops with them," criminal defense attorney David Slane said.

Slane has represented dozens of offenders including a man who was recently removed from the registry, who agreed to talk to News 9.

"When you are on the registry, you have to protect yourself on all accounts no matter what," the convicted sex offender said. "If you don't do that, you're leaving yourself open for any kind of legal action that could take place against you."

The offender says all registered offenders should keep front porch lights off during Halloween. He says he is shocked there's not a state law demanding it.

Overall, police say offenders want to lay low.

"I would say 99 percent of the time, they comply with our request," Moore police Det. Dustin Horstkoetter said.

To check for sex offenders in your neighborhood online, click here.