Inset: Jace Hansen booking photo Johnson County jail; Background: YouTube screen grab of Hereford House steakhouse photo from local CBS affiliate KCTV.
A part-time employee at a steakhouse in Kansas Kansas has been arrested and charged with a felony for contaminating food with unspecified bodily fluids, according to police and prosecutors.
Jace Christian Hanson, 21, was arrested on April 25, according to court records made available by the Johnson County District Attorney’s office. The police want more affected individuals to report any health issues they are facing.
Prosecutors have not specified how Hanson contaminated the food at the Hereford House steakhouse in Leawood.
They have also not mentioned the type of bodily fluids involved.
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office inmate records show Hanson is still in custody with a $100,000 bail. His next court appearance is June 6. His attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.
The The Kansas City Star reported that the contaminations occurred between March 26 and April 25.
At least 130 people who ate at Hereford House during that time have contacted the police. A spokesperson for the police department could not be reached by Law&Crime on Sunday, but a police captain told the Star this week that the symptoms reported were similar to food poisoning, causing upset stomach or other gastrointestinal problems.
Hereford House said after Hanson's arrest that he had been working at the restaurant part-time for less than a month.
The restaurant spokesperson stated, “Once authorities arrested the individual on April 25th, we immediately took all measures and steps to thoroughly clean and sanitize the kitchen following health department guidelines.”
Johnson County District Attorney Steve Howe stated this week that police currently believe only Hanson was involved, but they anticipate additional charges in the coming weeks. He is currently charged with felony criminal threat.
If you or someone you know may have eaten at the Hereford House from March 26 to April 25, police encourage reports be made online at or by calling (913) 266-0696.