Police say 49ers owner tried to pay undercover agent for sex
49ers owner Jed York was arrested after allegedly responding to an ad placed by an undercover officer on a known prostitution site, police say
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York used an alias when responding to an ad on a known prostitution site and contacted an undercover officer three times before an arranged meet-up and his eventual arrest, according to an incident report from the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force.
York was arrested Sunday, Aug. 23, in East Palestine, Ohio, and initially charged with misdemeanor counts of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools. A plea deal shifted the former charge to disorderly conduct.
According to the incident report obtained Tuesday, Aug. 25, by USA TODAY Sports, York first initiated contact by responding to the ad under the alias of “Joe.” He followed up the same day asking about meeting up, but the police officer did not respond to either message.
York again reached out the next morning and, upon making contact, shared he was in Boardman, Ohio, a township a little more than 15 miles south of East Palestine, Ohio. After York agreed to the given price of $160 for one hour of “full service sexual activity,” the officer gave York a fictitious lot number at which to meet in a mobile home park, according to the report.
York, who was driving a rental car at the time of his arrest, entered the mobile home park but went out to the main road when he couldn’t find the listed lot number. He was met by officers, who confirmed his phone was the one used to arrange the meet-up.
An affidavit signed by an arresting officer stated that York agreed to pay $140, but both the incident report and Columbiana County (Ohio) court records stated that police seized $160 as well as York’s phone, which was later returned to him.
York was sentenced to one day in jail for each charge, to be served concurrently, with one day of credit for time served, according to Columbiana County court records. He also paid two fines totaling $1,150.
The NFL said in a statement Monday that it would investigate the matter further for potential discipline under the league’s personal conduct policy.
Said the 49ers in a statement: “As this is a legal matter, which has been resolved, we will not be providing any further comment at this time.”
Contributing: Chris Bumbaca