A former employee of a well-known Kansas City steakhouse has been sentenced to 136 months in state prison after pleading guilty to multiple disturbing charges, including adulterating food and possessing child sexual abuse material.
Jace Christian Hanson, 22, received the sentence Thursday in Johnson County, where the judge described his crimes as “repulsive.” The case led to the closure of the Hereford House restaurant in Leawood, where Hanson had worked.
Graphic Videos Triggered Investigation
Hanson’s actions came to light after he posted graphic videos online under the name “Vandalizer.” Authorities were tipped off that the footage showed him urinating on food and rubbing food on his genitals while on duty at the steakhouse.
According to KMBC, Hanson admitted to the acts, saying he had done so about 20 times. He confessed to urinating in Au Jus sauce and pickle jars and pressing his genitals on pieces of salmon.
The investigation confirmed the food tampering and uncovered an even more disturbing discovery—videos depicting child sexual abuse and online messages expressing his desire to commit such acts. One message reportedly read:
“I really want this life honestly, it’s the only thing I live for, working so I can hopefully do as much damage as I can someday.”
Leawood Police Detective Jack Bond testified that the material found was “the most brutal and violent child sexual abuse material that I have ever seen.”
Sentencing and Community Impact
Hanson ultimately pleaded guilty to 33 charges, including 22 counts of criminal threat, one count of criminal damage, and 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a child.
During sentencing, 10th Judicial District Judge Thomas Kelly Ryan called Hanson a “future danger,” dramatically waving a binder of evidence as he declared, “To use the term repulsive doesn’t begin to cover it.”
The fallout was severe for the family-owned Hereford House, a Kansas City institution since 1957. Assistant District Attorney Xavier Andrews stated that Hanson “singlehandedly caused that location to close” after multiple lawsuits were filed following his arrest.
Hanson apologized during the hearing, telling the court he would “take it all back if I could,” addressing restaurant patrons, coworkers, and his family. Despite his remorse, he will now serve more than 11 years in prison for his horrific and damaging crimes.
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