A convicted sex offender who was giving out candy to trick-or-treaters has been charged with violating his parole conditions, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Margarito Esparza, 71, of Beach Park, was arrested by officers Sunday after detectives saw him give candy to children who knocked on the door of his Sheridan Road residence.
Esparaza, who has a conviction for aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving a child, is barred from activities involving children, police said.
According to the sheriff’s office, it sends notices to sex offenders at this time of year to remind them that they are not allowed to engage with children collecting Halloween treats.
Detectives placed Esparza under arrest, and he was charged with unlawful participation of a sexual predator during a holiday event involving minors, authorities said.
According to court records, Esparza pleaded guilty in 2022 to the sex abuse charge, was sentenced to six months in jail, placed on probation and ordered to undergo counseling.
“Convicted child sexual predators know they are strictly prohibited from nearly every activity involving children,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “Our team works tirelessly to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable, and this is another example of their outstanding dedication.”
Lake County sheriff’s detectives will continue their extra patrols throughout this week, police said.