Parole agents check on convicted child molesters in Operation Boo

Parole agents fanned out statewide tonight.. to conduct ... compliance checks on convicted child molesters. The Department of Corrections says it's been doing this every Halloween for 23 years .

A KTVU crew went along for the ride to see the operation first hand. It's called "Operation Boo."

It didn't take long for parole agents to make an arrest.

A team of seven parole agents goes to each home on their list of convicted child molesters. In this case, it's transitional housing known as a clean and sober house in East Oakland.

One agent stays outside while the rest go inside the home. A short while later, the man is arrested. The department of corrections asked that we not show any parolee's face.

"He's in his 50's.  He's been out for a couple of years. He did Operation Boo last year, so he knows the rules and regulations," says Tosha Davis, a parole agent.   

As part of a child molesters' parole conditions, they are banned from any attempts to attract children to their homes.

That means they can not  have exterior lights on their homes, Halloween decorations, candies or toys.

Agents say they found a toy in the room of the man they arrested.

"It looks like a lighted sword," says Agent Davis," He says he has a friend who as a party store and he got it from a friend."

Operation Boo started at 5 p.m. Halloween evening.

Convicted child molesters who are transients or homeless were required to check in at parole offices. They were patted down to make sure they didn't have weapons.  They were also required  to stay at the  offices until the peak trick or treating hours are over at 10 p/m.

One parolee, who's required to wear an ankle bracelet, agreed to speak with us on the condition that we not identify him.

He says his conviction was two decades ago when he was in his 20s.

"There's nothing wrong with me inherently.  I  made a bad decision. It's unfortunate that I'm still doing this.  I  do understand why the laws are there," says the parolee.

As for the man who was arrested during the home compliance check, he  was taken to the county jail.

He should go before the parole board for a hearing in a few days.

A violation can mean a parole extension of up to 180 days.

Parole agents say most often, the violations they see are for possession of drugs, alcohol or weapons.