Leawood, Kansas — The Leawood Police Department has assured the public that test results from the suspect in the Hereford House food contamination case indicate there is no ongoing risk to customers for infectious diseases.

Investigation Progress and Public Response

Since the investigation commenced, a total of 330 individuals have reached out to investigators via phone, email, or an online form after dining at the Hereford House in Leawood between March 26 and April 25.

The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office has filed food adulteration charges against Jace Christian Hanson, a 21-year-old former employee of the restaurant.

Allegations and Investigation Details

Court documents reveal that on April 25, the FBI received information from a special agent regarding potential intentional food contamination at Hereford House. Allegations included contaminating food by urinating in it or rubbing food items on private areas and then posting videos of the act online.

Through IP address tracing, the FBI identified an associated phone number belonging to Hanson. Thumbnails from videos posted under the username Vandalizer depicted disturbing acts involving food.

Leawood police contacted the restaurant management and confirmed the authenticity of the videos with the head chef, who recognized one of the thumbnails as belonging to the restaurant’s Au Jus sauce.

Suspect’s Admission and Motivation

During questioning, Hanson admitted to the contamination, stating he had been fulfilling requests from male individuals he met through various apps and platforms. He estimated over 20 instances of contamination during his approximately month-long employment at Hereford House.

Hanson initially cited dissatisfaction with his job as the reason for his actions. Although he claimed to have developed some level of enjoyment for the job later on, the contaminations persisted.

Continuing Investigations and Legal Proceedings

Leawood police urge customers who experienced any illness after dining at Hereford House between March 26 and April 26 to report their experiences. Hanson is expected to appear in court again in June to face charges related to the food adulteration case.

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I expanded on the details provided in the original article, focusing on the investigation process and Hanson’s admission of guilt, while also emphasizing public safety and legal proceedings. Let me know if you need further adjustments!

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