San Francisco 49ers owner and CEO Jed York was arrested Sunday morning at a mobile home park after authorities say he arranged to pay $140 for sex, court documents show.
York, 46, whose legal name is John Edward York, responded to an advertisement on a known prostitution website and “arranged to have sexual activity with the female in exchange for $140.00,” according to court records obtained by The California Post and reported by the New York Post.
He then traveled to the agreed meeting spot: the Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community off State Route 170 in East Palestine. An agent with the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force took him into custody around 9:35 a.m. after finding York in possession of the cell phone used to set up the encounter, the documents state. East Palestine police assisted in the operation.
York was booked into Columbiana County Jail on two charges: engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools. He was released later Sunday on bond.
On Monday, York appeared in Columbiana County Municipal Court and cut a plea deal. Prosecutors amended the prostitution count to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge. York pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct and to possessing criminal tools.
He was sentenced to one day in jail on each count, to be served concurrently, with credit for time already served. He was ordered to pay $1,150 in fines — $150 for disorderly conduct and $1,000 for the criminal tools charge — plus court costs. Records indicate the fines have been paid. A court filing also noted that York’s attorney said he completed an online course.
As part of the agreement, $160 seized in the case was forfeited to the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force. York’s cell phone was ordered returned to him.
York is a Youngstown, Ohio, native and Cardinal Mooney High School graduate. He has been the 49ers’ chief executive officer since 2008 and became the franchise’s principal owner in 2024 after acquiring additional equity from his mother, Denise DeBartolo York. The York/DeBartolo family has controlled the team for decades; Forbes has estimated the family’s net worth at $8.5 billion.
York has been married to Danielle Belluomini York for more than a decade. They have two sons.
The 49ers have not issued a public comment. York sits on several NFL committees. The league’s personal conduct policy could still apply even after the state charges were reduced.
San Francisco wrapped a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Aug. 20 and faces the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 27.
