Police have released a photo of the man suspected of picking up a prostitute in Seattle and taking her to an alleged “torture room” at his mobile home in rural Tacoma.
John Joseph Hauff Jr, 66, is charged with kidnapping, rape and assault. Police say he picked up the 24-year-old woman on Aurora Avenue on April 2. She secretly texted her boyfriend with Hauff's address and license plate number, police say.
When they arrived at the home, police say the woman was chained to a wall as Hauff spent the next eight hours repeatedly torturing, shocking her with electricity and binding her using tools and other devices. The woman told police she was released after she showed Hauff the text message she sent.
Hauff was arrested a few days later while in the company of another woman.
Investigators say they found a “torture room” in Hauff’s mobile home with whips, syringes, belts and two devices for administering electric shocks. The walls were eight inches thick, making it virtually soundproof.
Searchers from several agencies in King and Pierce counties also searched the property for any evidence related to missing person cases.
Police also released photos of the outside of the home and of the 1998 Mercury Sable station wagon that he allegedly used to pick up the woman.
Anyone who has been victimized by Hauff or recognizes the building or the car is asked to call Seattle Police at (206) 233-5000. Police say they are not interested in investigating any prostitution or drug crimes in relation to this case.
