49ers Owner Jed York Pleads No Contest to Ohio Prostitution-Related Charges
San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York pleaded no contest Monday to two misdemeanor charges following his arrest in Ohio in connection with an undercover prostitution investigation.
According to Columbiana County, Ohio, court records, York allegedly responded to an undercover advertisement and arranged to meet a woman for sexual activity in exchange for $140. Police arrested him after he arrived at the meeting location with the cellphone allegedly used to arrange the encounter.
York was taken into custody Sunday morning at the Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community. The East Palestine Police Department assisted the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force with the arrest.
He was initially charged with misdemeanor counts of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools. Under a plea agreement, the prostitution charge was reduced to misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
York pleaded no contest and was ordered to pay $1,150 in fines—$150 for the disorderly conduct charge and $1,000 for the criminal tools charge. He also received one day in jail for each charge, with both days credited as time already served.
Columbiana County Prosecutor Vito Abruzzino confirmed that the charges were reduced as part of the plea agreement. He described the resolution as routine for someone facing similar charges without a prior history of such criminal conduct.
The 49ers said the legal matter had been resolved and declined to provide further comment. The NFL also acknowledged the case and said it would review the matter under its personal conduct policy.
York has served as the 49ers' chief executive officer since 2008 and became the team's majority owner in 2024. During his leadership, San Francisco has reached the Super Bowl three times, including appearances following the 2012, 2019 and 2023 seasons.
York also oversaw the construction of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, which opened in 2014 and has since hosted major sporting events, including two Super Bowls.