Sex offenders arrested for violating parole on Halloween

HOUSTON All of the arrests were made during Operation Safe Halloween, a joint effort between the Attorney General's Fugitive Unit and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division. The statewide crackdown targeted previously convicted child sex offenders whose parole conditions required them to remain at their residence and avoid children who were trick-or-treating on Halloween.

"Operation Safe Halloween successfully arrested seven previously convicted child sex offenders who violated their parole on Halloween night," Attorney General Abbott said. "To protect young Texans out trick-or-treating, these sexual predators were subject to specific parole conditions that governed their Halloween night activities. We are grateful to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for working with the Fugitive Unit to protect Texas children."

The Fugitive Unit arrested the following convicted child sex offenders during Operation Safe Halloween:

• Curtis Mallard Jr., 41, was arrested on Nov. 1 in Houston. In 1990, Mallard was convicted in Harris County of indecency with a child by sexual contact.
• Larry Darnell Taylor, 54, was arrested on Nov. 1 in Houston. In 1988, Taylor was convicted in Harris County of burglary with intent to commit a felony. The Fugitive Unit previously arrested Taylor in February 2006 for violating his parole.
• Jose Sanchez Jr., 23, was arrested on Nov. 1 in San Antonio.
• Kenneth Earl Kelly, 36, was arrested on Nov. 2 in Hearne. In 1993, Kelly was convicted in Robertson County of sexual assault of a child.
• Edward Charles Perkins, 32, was arrested on Nov. 2 in Fort Worth. In 2004, Perkins was convicted in Tarrant County of indecency with a child by exposure.
• Willard Keon Vines, 29, was arrested on Nov. 1 in Dallas. In 2002, Vines was convicted in Dallas County of solicitation to commit sexual assault of a child.
• Donald Ray Howard, 50, was arrested Nov. 3 in Dallas. In 1994, Howard was convicted in Dallas County of sexual assault of a child.

Parole violations include failing to report to parole officers or being present in areas that might allow them access to young children. Since operations began in August 2003, the unit has arrested more than 2,000 fugitives.