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STANLEY, N.C. – Tombstones, skulls, zombies. There’s a guy who puts out lots of spooky decorations in Stanley for Halloween, and has for years. Kids notice his decorations and that’s a worry for parents like Kimberly Gibby. She says, “It’s very inviting for kids, cause they all love it.”
The guy who lives in the heavily decorated house is 53-year-old Robert Barnes. He’s a registered sex offender. Barnes was convicted in 2000 of indecent liberty with a minor. When WCCB News @ Ten anchor Morgan Fogarty knocked on Barnes’ door Monday, he opened the door and replied, “Go away.” And, “Go away, or I’ll call the police.”Β
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The police, or in this case, the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, do get called every year about these decorations, by worried neighbors, says Sheriff Alan Cloninger. He tells WCCB, “As it stands right now, nothing under the law gives us any authority to take any action that he is putting up any type of Halloween decorations.”Β
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Barnes is no longer on probation. And that means he can decorate. He doesn’t have to go to the Gaston County Courthouse on Halloween night with offenders who are still on probation. Barnes could even legally hand out candy. Cloninger says, “The sex offender has been on the registry approximately 14 years; we have never had any issues or problems or further charges against him. Also he has followed all of our rules and regulations.”
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Neighbors with kids tell WCCB even though the decorations are legal, doesn’t mean it’s comfortable. Gibby says, “Yeah, they won’t be going there. No matter what. They won’t be going there.”Β
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WCCB asked the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office how old Barnes’ victim was during the time of the sex offense. They referred us to the court house and we will follow up with them Tuesday.
