A multi-agency operation between the Turlock Police Department, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, Stanislaus County Probation and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation was carried out the last week of October to verify registered sex offenders were in compliance prior to trick-or-treaters hitting the streets for Halloween.

The compliance checks, dubbed Operation Candyman, involved contact with 33 previously convicted and registered sex offenders, resulted in 12 total arrests, four firearms seized, one Taser confiscated, and even one sword taken off the street. The massive coordinated effort was conducted on Oct. 26.

The aim of the operation was to ensure the safety of all concerned just in time for the Halloween festivities where children went door-to-door trick or treating.

“We focused on education, compliance, public safety, enforcement where appropriate, and community engagement by making our presence visible for all to see,” said sheriff’s department spokesman Sgt. Luke Schwartz.

Certain sex offenders have special parole conditions in relation to Halloween. They have a 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, during which time they must remain indoors; all exterior lights of their home must be turned off to discourage trick-or-treaters; no Halloween decorations or handing out candy; and during the curfew, they are only allowed to open their doors to parole agents, law enforcement or other emergency personnel.

Those who were arrested for various charges included the following: Alfred Carreira, 64, Ceres resident for parole violation; Richard McCollom, 56, Modesto resident for parole violation and possessing a stun gun; Robert DeToro, 58, Hughson resident for prohibited person possessing a firearm, leaded cane, billy, blackjack, slingshot, etc. and 10-day flash incarceration; Theodore Tanner, 47, Patterson resident for parole violation; Phillip Owens, 49, Modesto resident for parole violation; Charles Odell, 43, Modesto resident for parole violation; Johnny Padilla, 33, Modesto resident for robbery as an un-related assist to patrol operations; Kenneth Dale, Jr., 34, for a traffic-related warrant; Phillip Flanagan, 53, Keyes resident for being a public nuisance; Angelo Kanef, 34, Turlock resident for parole violation and petty theft; Larry McDonald, 57, Modesto resident for failing to annually register; and Paul Freeman, 46, Riverbank resident for parole violation and prohibited person possessing firearms and ammunition.