HAYS, Kan. — At approximately 1:11 p.m. on Sept. 9, the Hays Police Department received information from Colorado Ped Patrol, a non-law-enforcement organization that identifies and confronts individuals suspected of attempting to engage in sexual communications with minors online.
The organization reported online communications involving an individual posing as a 13-year-old female and a Hays resident. Information provided to the department indicated that the online conversation began in July 2024 and included sexually explicit communications and images.
Following receipt of the information, officers contacted Austin Darnall, 40, of Hays, in the 2000 block of Marshall Road. After an investigation, Darnall was arrested on suspicion of electronic solicitation and sexual exploitation.
The investigation remains ongoing. At this time, the department is not aware of any child victims.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
No further information will be released at this time.
