By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
A Hays man returned to court last week after skipping his trial on a blackmail charge and failing to report to court service.
Samuel E. Allen was arrested in July 2025 on a charge of alleged blackmail.
According to district court records, Allen allegedly tried to obtain $50 by allegedly threatening to share nude photos or videos of someone obtained through a dating app on June 27, 2025.
Blackmail is a level four person felony in Kansas.
Although Allen's name was on the ballot for Hays City Commission in 2025, he did not actively campaign after his arrest, and he did not receive enough votes to be elected to office.
According to a Zoom court hearing before Judge Tom Drees last week, Allen had not reported to court services since July. He also did not report for his scheduled trial on Sept. 25.
A warrant was issued for his arrest.
His attorney, Chris Biggs, said Allen allegedly had been in Colorado receiving treatment for issues following a heart transplant.
Drees ordered Allen to report to court services and participate in its RePath program, a smartphone-based supervision and court compliance platform.
As long as Allen re-registered with RePath and complied with court services conditions, Drees said he would lift the arrest warrant.
This is the second time Allen violated his bond. He was also arrested in April for violating bond.
A jury trial for Allen has been reset for Jan. 20-22.