By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
A Hays man and former janitor at Hays Middle School has been charged in Ellis County District Court with electronic solicitation of a child.
Austin Darnall, 40, was arrested on Sept. 9 by the Hays Police Department after a tip 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.
A formal complaint charging Darnall with alleged electronic solicitation of a child, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia was filed on Oct. 12, according to court records.
According to the complaint, Darnall allegedly was in communication with a fictitious girl named “Samantha,” whom he believed to be 13, between July 9, 2024, and Jan. 14, 2025.
He allegedly requested that she send him nude photos and sent her other sexually provocative messages, according to the complaint.
The solicitation charge is a level 1 person felony. The possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia charges are misdemeanors.
Darnall was released on $500,000 bond on Sept. 14.
He appeared in court Nov. 3. His case is scheduled for a status hearing on Jan. 12.
Hays USD 489 confirmed in September that Darnall worked as a nighttime custodian at Hays Middle School.
Superintendent Ron Wilson said on Tuesday said that Darnall no longer works for the district.