Baldwin City woman to face trial on blackmail charge

Douglas County District Court Judge Peggy Kittel ordered a 31-year-old Baldwin City woman to stand trial for allegedly blackmailing a convicted Lawrence sex offender.

Janice Boline faces one count of blackmail after she allegedly threatened a registered sex offender that she would publish his photo and name in a magazine unless he paid her $5,000.

The man — who manages a local business — testified Tuesday at a preliminary hearing that Boline approached him in September.

She allegedly told him he could keep his name and photo out of an October magazine if he agreed to pay her the $5,000. The name of the publication was not released during Tuesday’s testimony.

The man emailed Boline later about the offer, and turned those documents over to police. Boline was arrested Sept. 26 and released on a $2,500 bond.

Blackmail is a level 7 non-person felony, punishable by up to 34 months in prison, depending on someone’s criminal history.

A trial has been set for Feb. 13.