10/31/2026
Press Release
For Release: October 30, 2026
For More Information Contact: Sheriff Darren Cheek at (417)-345-2441
DALLAS COUNTY, MISSOURI- On October 30, 2026- Sheriff Darren Cheek along with the Dallas County Sheriff Office, Buffalo Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control, and Task Force Officer from Relentless Pursuit, conducted a county wide registered s*x offender compliance check known as “Operation Halloween Safety”.
The operation took place on October 30, 2026, the day before Halloween, to ensure all registered s*x offenders residing in Dallas County are in compliance with Missouri s*x offender registration laws.
Deputies and Investigators verified the employment, vehicles, social media and physical addresses of registered offenders before Halloween. This operation yielded 4 felony charges for failure to register a s*x offender and 7 outstanding felony warrants. (More details will be released after formal charges are filed).
Several Dallas County Deputies will be carrying out extra duties of checking offender’s residences during Halloween night to ensure they are following the laws by keeping porch lights off and not participating in the events of trick or treating.
Sheriff Darren Cheek said “This was a proactive, child safety operation. The goal is to verify compliance and give parents peace of mind. Our kids deserve a safe, fun Halloween and these checks help ensure that s*x offenders are where they are supposed to be and following the law. We are able to see a much better rate of compliance in just the past 2 years with the 2025 compliance check yielding 14 criminal charges related to failure to register as a s*x offender compared to this year yielding only 4 criminal charges. Deputies reported many offenders mentioned they made sure they were following the law much closer than before, after the previous year’s compliance check. We want to send the message that Dallas County will not tolerate s*xual based crimes or failure to register as a s*x offender. I would also like to send a special thanks all officials that made this operation happen including the Dallas County Prosecuting Attorney Jonathan Barker’s Office and Judge Lisa Carter Henderson along with the Dallas County Circuit clerk’s Officer”
