Former Blackwell police officer sentenced on misdemeanor charge

NEWKIRK — Former Blackwell police officer Gary Dean Preuss, 53, Blackwell, entered a no contest plea in Kay County District Court to a misdemeanor count of threaten to perform act of violence.

Preuss was arrested in October of 2021 following a stand off with Blackwell police and as originally charged with felony counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and threaten to perform act of violence.

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Sentencing is deferred for three years and Preuss is ordered to complete 40 hours of community service, continue counseling and have no firearms.