A longtime University of Washington dining manager is behind bars after King County prosecutors said he paid teenage girls for sex, using everything from cash transfers to fast-food deliveries to lure them in.
Grant Lee Hough, 56, who served as the UW's general manager of residential dining, was arrested on Tuesday, June 16 and is being held in King County Jail in lieu of $750,000 bail.
Prosecutors have charged Hough with six felony counts, including commercial sexual abuse of a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor. Charging documents accuse him of paying girls through Cash App, buying them shoes and clothing, supplying alcohol, marijuana and vape products, and sending Grubhub orders. Alleged victims include a 13-year-old from Pierce County and a 15-year-old from Benton County.
The documents also allege that Hough recorded a sexual encounter with a 13-year-old and that he offered $1,000 to a 13-year-old to have sex with her and a friend, according to The Seattle Times.
Allegations And Evidence In Charging Papers
Members of the Washington Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force served a search warrant at Hough's home in Wallingford. Court papers say investigators found a carry-on suitcase by the front door that they described as a "to-go sex kit," stocked with sex toys, fishnet stockings, zip ties and lubricant.
Detectives say Hough groomed girls online, pitched himself as their "sugar daddy" and met them at hotels for sexual encounters. According to investigators, he used encrypted, auto-deleting messaging to try to stay off law enforcement's radar, The Seattle Times reported.
"He has a substantial disregard for the safety of minors and a prioritization of his sexual desires over all else," King County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Laura Harmon wrote in the charging documents, according to the outlet. Hough has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
What The Charges Mean Under Washington Law
Under Washington law, commercial sexual abuse of a minor covers providing or offering anything of value in exchange for sexual conduct with someone under 18. Sexual exploitation of a minor criminalizes causing or arranging sexually explicit conduct involving minors. Both crimes are class B felonies.
State statutes specify that a minor's consent is not a legal defense and outline potential prison terms, fines and additional consequences for people convicted of these offenses, according to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 9.68A.100 and RCW 9.68A.040).
Next Steps
Prosecutors say the investigation is ongoing, and Hough's case will continue through King County Superior Court as pretrial proceedings unfold. Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the case to contact Seattle police or the agencies handling the investigation. Prosecutors say additional details will be released as the case moves forward.
