By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
A former Hays City Commission candidate waived his right to a preliminary hearing today in Hays.
Samuel E. Allen of Hays 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.
Blackmail is a level 4 person felony in Kansas.
Although Allen's name was on the ballot for the city commission, he did not actively campaign after his arrest, and he did not receive enough votes to be elected to office.
In court today, Allen's defense attorney Joseph Shepack said Ellis County Attorney Aaron Cunningham proposed a plea deal for a lesser felony.
Since the plea agreement was only offered this morning, Shepack said his client needed more time to consider it.
Judge Richard Flax said he would set an arraignment for 60 days from today. At that time, Allen could accept a plea, or the case could proceed to trial.