Sex offender charged after Halloween to have case dismissed

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.