San Francisco 49ers owner and chief executive Jed York was arrested in East Palestine, Ohio, after allegedly attempting to pay an undercover law enforcement agent $140 for sex at a mobile home park.
York, 46, who is worth $500 million and co-owns English Premier League club Leeds United and Scottish Premiership side Rangers, was taken into custody at 9.35am on August 23. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond.
According to court documents obtained by The Daily Mail, York arranged to have sexual activity with a female in exchange for $140 after responding to an undercover advertisement placed by law enforcement on a known prostitution website.
When York arrived at the arranged location at the Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community in East Palestine, he was greeted by a law enforcement sting operation.
Bodycam footage obtained by The Daily Mail shows the moment York, who was still wearing his wedding ring, was pulled from his car and placed in handcuffs by police officers.
In the video footage, the NFL owner quickly put his hands above his head as officers approached. When asked by officers what he was doing at the trailer park, York replied: "Just driving." Asked if he was meeting anyone, he responded: "No."
The video released by the East Palestine Police Department shows York wearing a New York Yankees shirt, basketball shorts and tennis shoes. He was booked into the Columbiana County Jail following his arrest.
Undercover police sting operation
As officers placed York in handcuffs, they asked if he was from the local area, to which he responded: "Yeah." The arresting officer then asked, "so you're just driving around East Palestine?", and York again gave a simple one-word affirmative response.
York was placed in the back seat of a black patrol car before the vehicle door was shut. Officers then engaged in a conversation next to a separate vehicle, with the audio redacted from the released footage.
During a search of York's rental vehicle, an officer discovered $160 in cash. The money was seized and later handed over to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force as part of a plea agreement.
The arresting officers appeared unaware of York's high-profile background during the initial encounter. One officer was heard telling a colleague: "He's a real estate guy, he's got all the money."
After York was driven away by an officer in the patrol car, the initial arresting officer made a phone call to a colleague and returned to the rental car. Cops retrieved two cellular devices from the vehicle, including one that displayed a photo of York's two sons as the background.
An absent officer sent a text message to York's burner phone, and the officers then discussed the contents of messages York had allegedly sent to the person he believed was a prostitute.
"Yeah, he said he was from Chicago, real estate," one officer remarked during the exchange.
Court records indicate that York was taken into custody after an agent with the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force discovered that York had in his possession his cellular device which was used to arrange a criminal act.
Plea agreement and legal charges
York, who was born 20 miles away from East Palestine in Youngstown, Ohio, was initially charged with engaging in prostitution. Prosecutors later amended the charge to disorderly conduct. He was also charged with possessing criminal tools.
On Monday morning, York pleaded no contest to both offenses. He was sentenced to one day in jail for both charges, to be served concurrently, and received credit for one day served.
The court imposed a fine of $1,150 on York. Official records show that one of his cellphones was returned to him, and he completed an online course.
The arrest comes after York filed for divorce from his wife, Danielle, in May, citing irreconcilable differences. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the couple are awaiting a court date for their dissolution of marriage case to be heard.
York and Danielle married in 2011 and have two sons, Jaxon and Brixton. The couple have agreed to legal and physical joint custody.
Franchise response and family background
Following the legal proceedings, the National Football League issued a statement confirming: "We are aware of the matter, which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy."
The San Francisco 49ers also released a statement, saying: "As this is a legal matter, which has been resolved, we will not be providing any further comment at this time."
The Daily Mail reached out for comment to the East Palestine Police Department, the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force, and York's attorney.
Jed York is the son of Denise DeBartolo York and John York. His parents took control of the 49ers after his uncle, Eddie DeBartolo, was convicted in a gambling fraud scandal.
Eddie DeBartolo, who owned the franchise during its 1980s and 1990s dynasty, pleaded guilty in 1998 to failing to report a felony after paying $400,000 to former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards to secure a riverboat gambling license.
DeBartolo stepped down as owner in 1997 after two Louisiana newspapers reported he would be indicted. Although his leadership yielded five Super Bowl victories, the scandal effectively ended his NFL career despite avoiding prison, paying a $1 million fine, and serving a one-year NFL suspension. President Donald Trump pardoned him in February 2020.
Jed York began working for his father in the early 2000s and was appointed chief executive officer of the 49ers in 2008. He became the principal owner in 2024 after acquiring a sufficient portion of his mother's ownership stake.
Under his leadership, the San Francisco 49ers have won five NFC West division titles and reached seven NFC Championship Games alongside three Super Bowl appearances, though the franchise has not won a Super Bowl title since 1994.
York also oversaw the construction of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, leading the team's move from San Francisco in 2014. The venue has since hosted two Super Bowls, a College Football Playoff title game, and matches during the World Cup.
The 49ers are scheduled to play their first game of the upcoming season against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on September 19.
