Pullman businessman sentenced to life in prison

COLFAX—Former Pullman businessman Victor Hudak was sentenced the maximum sentence of life in prison with the earliest possible release after 68 months in his sentencing hearing Friday, Feb. 17 in Whitman County Superior Court.

Hudak was convicted of child molestation in the first degree on Jan. 18, 2023, by a jury of Whitman County residents. In order to be released the Intermediate Sentencing Review Board will determine if he has been rehabilitated, and whether he poses an ongoing threat to the community, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Tessa Scholl stated in a press release from Feb. 17.

“Mr. Hudak’s actions in this case were opportunistic and predatory, he abused the trust of an 11 year old girl who had known him through his music store since she was 7 years old,” Scholl said. “I believe the maximum sentence was appropriate in this case and with this closure, it is my hope that the victim and her family can move forward and heal.”

If released from prison, Hudak will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, and be on lifetime supervision with the Department of Corrections. The victim in the case was issued a life time Sexual Assault Protection Order.

In the hearing, Scholl gave the states recommendation of a maximum sentence, and reminded the court of the facts of the case. Explaining what had happened to the 11 year-old victim on July, 24, 2022.

Jane Doe walked down to the park with her six year old sister to swim, during which Mr. Hudak saw them and came down from the bridge to watch them for a few minutes. Scholl explained that Mr. Hudak had approached them with an erection.

“He admitted to law enforcement that it was inappropriate for a 52 year old man to approach two young girls who are alone,” Scholl said, adding that Hudak had abused the trust Jane Doe had placed in him.

After helping Jane Doe’s sister climb a tree, Hudak proceeded to sexually touch Jane Doe for three to four seconds before she stepped away, Scholl stated before the court.

“There is no evidence before the court to suggest that Mr. Hudak would have stopped touching her had she not stepped away from him,” Scholl said, explaining that the victim then walked home with her sister before breaking down and telling her stepmother what had happened. After which, law enforcement got involved.

“While being investigated by officers, he admitted to being attracted to young girls, and even asked the officers if they themselves were attracted to young girls,” Scholl said.

Several of the victim’s family members spoke up at the hearing, holding back emotion as they explained the damage that Hudak’s actions had on their family.

“I hope that he can get the help he needs, and I hope that the community of Pullman can move stronger and safer from now on,” Jane Doe’s father said before the court.

The victim’s older sister then came before the court, explaining that having arrived home and learning what happened she was shattered. Not being able to imagine something so disgusting could happen to her little sister.

“He took a sweet innocent girl, and did something unthinkable,” she said, adding that she hopes he never puts another person through that again.

The 11 year-old victim spoke before the court next, explaining how the incident that had happened in July affected her ability to trust even a stranger who offered her a clean-up bag while walking her dog in October.

“Victor you have made me feel afraid and helpless for months, but today I hope you finally get what you deserve,” the victim said, adding that she hopes he feels the pain and fear he has caused her and everyone. “You have made me feel alone, even though everyone says that I’m not. I hate you, I hope you rot and spend the rest of your pathetic little life sitting in jail thinking about how many lives you ruined,” Jane Doe said in the Feb. 17 sentencing hearing. “How many childhoods you have taken away. I hope you know that I hate you more than anyone else on this earth. People like you are the reason so many people feel unsafe and alone. Victor Hudak, I hate you.”

While it was mentioned by both the defense attorney, and prosecuting attorneys that Hudak had an offenders score of zero during the court hearing, there are 14 incident reports that have been reported of Hudak over the years, according to Pullman Police Department records obtained.

Reports state that Hudak was reported as allegedly following, and staring at a juvenile for a year in 2002. The case was investigated, and eventually closed.

In 2003, the Pullman Police Department looked into Hudak allegedly watching young children at the pool.

Hudak was reported by a mother for allegedly always “creepily” watching her daughter in 2014, according to Pullman PD records.

A 2018 report states that Hudak was reported as watching young girls walk past his store. “Hudak denied that this was his intention, although Hudak seemed very nervous and appeared to start shaking,” the report by Pullman PD Officer Doug Anderson states. “I explained to him that whether he was doing it intentionally, he might want to take effort to make sure that he was not because people are noticing.”

In 2021 a case was brought up against Hudak for allegedly stalking a young woman at Planet Fitness.

In four documented incidents from 2022 Hudak is reported allegedly touching an underage girl in a non-sexual, but unwelcome way, allegedly stalking two other juvenile girls, and allegedly sexually harassing another young girl who he knew from his music store.

The only incident mentioned in the court hearing was a 2019 case in which Hudak was charged for child molestation in the second degree, but was not convicted.

Hudak had allegedly grabbed the 2019 victim’s buttocks, but had told the police that it had to have been incidental, states reports. Hudak was advised of the incidents that had been previously reported, and that they were concerning. To which Hudak responded that it was due to his drinking problem, and that he admitted to touching the juvenile inappropriately, states the 2019 report.