A man charged with 22 counts of criminal threat involving food at an upscale Kansas City area restaurant has pleaded guilty.
Jace Hanson, 22, pleaded guilty in Johnson County (KS) District Court to:
22 counts of criminal threat;
Criminal damage greater than $25,000; and
10 counts of sexual exploitation of a child/possession of child pornography
The man was employed by the Leawood, KS, Hereford House restaurant from March 26 to April 25, 2024. He initially pleaded not guilty to all counts in September 2024.
More than 130 people reported becoming ill after eating at the restaurant that spring. Hanson allegedly posted videos online showing himself contaminating food in various ways. An FBI tipster said the video showed Hanson spitting in food, urinating on food, stomping on food, and rubbing food on his body — including his genitals — while working at the restaurant.
An affidavit says Hanson went on apps such as Grinder where he said men requested he make specific videos involving food. Hanson then allegedly told investigators he contaminated restaurant food more than 20 times in less than three weeks.
Hanson told Leawood Police Department investigators he rubbed food on his genitalia and used other methods to contaminate food at the once-popular restaurant.
Dozens of civil lawsuits have been filed against Hereford House by customers who allegedly suffered serious illnesses after eating the restaurant’s food.
Leawood police say they eventually received 380 tips about food contamination from diners who ate at the restaurant.
Citing financial problems, the Leawood Hereford House location closed Aug. 3, 2024.
Following Hanson’s plea, the judge ordered a presentencing investigation to be completed.
The judge set the next court hearing in the case for Aug. 26.
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