Victor Hudak, a former downtown Pullman business owner, has been convicted of first-degree child molestation in Whitman County Superior Court. 

Hudak was arrested in July for grabbing an 11-year-old’s buttocks, the survivor has received a lifetime protection order from Hudak, according to a Moscow-Pullman Daily News release.

Hudak, 52, faces 51–68 months to life in prison and if released, must register as a sex offender and be on “lifetime supervision with the department of corrections,” according to the release. 

During the hearing, another victim gave testimony from back in 2019 when Hudak grabbed her bottom several times while in his shop when she was 14, according to the release. Officer Nathan Padrta brought forth the case as well.

“The survivor’s remarkable courage and strength to testify at trial was essential in obtaining the conviction,” Senior Deputy Prosecutor Tessa Scholl said in an article by KOZE. “I will argue for the maximum penalty allowed by law for this conviction.”

Hudak still remains in Whitman County Jail until his sentencing on Feb. 17 without bond, according to the release.